Yellows & Reds



A little splash of color for my desk

We made it another week.  I fell asleep last night thinking about how blessed we are to live in a country where our biggest worry is getting through the week.  Even when our wallets were empty, we always had just enough.  We are so blessed, and I am guilty of neglecting this truth often enough.  God is good!

Yummy, yummy to My Tummy

It's a far cry from the wonders of Jamba Juice, but Robeks is quite delicious. 

Feel Inspired

Running on little sleep this morning, I can't help but look out the window and smile at what sits just thirty feet away.  Pink tulips have peeked through the recently mulched beds.  Purple pansies and yellow something-or-others (sorry, Dad, I have no idea what they are) blanket the tulips' toes.  Simply put, it's beautiful outside.  And beauty inspires me. 

I chose to ignore the weatherman this morning when he said, "Winter has returned."  We awoke to freezing temperatures, but I donned a spring dress anyways.  Seize the day!  I'll admit my legs weren't too happy when the brisk air hit them, but I'm making up for it now with a Snuggy and a space heater.  Everyone needs an emergency-kit Snuggy in their office.

Bare toes and all!

I suppose growing up around nature and being hammered with Save the Earth slogans in Oregon has naturally given me a taste for the outdoors.  I'd easily opt for a hike through a mossy forest over a trip to the mall anyday.  But despite that, there is such wonder in watching God's creation come back to life after its dormant sleep.  A couple years ago, Jesse and I spent Easter at my cousin's home in Spotsylvania, VA.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with this strangely named town, it's the country. It's the south.  On Easter day, we woke up to see tiny green leaflets sprouting on all of the trees.  It was magical...but more so, it was God's imagination in slow motion.  We'd gone to bed with bare trees and awoke to dainty dresses.

There are numerous things in life that inspire me.  Culture and family traditions, worship songs taken from Scripture, life-changing experiences, and sometimes even a good cooking show.  But I think the most inspiring and moving factor in my life are those that help me see and hear God.  His creation is one very large "good morning."  It's impossible to ignore the way our world is weaved together so meticulously.  Whether it's the dark hues of fall or the bright pops of color, I am inspired by His hand on this world. 

I've Lost It

Have you ever had days when it seems nothing more could potentially go wrong?  After all, the hairbrush already fell in the toilet, the dog already got stepped on by the German Shepard, the smoothie was dropped in the parking lot, and to top it off with a cherry, the calendar is double-booked for the day.  These kinds of days can either be frustrating or a source for comic relief.  Sure, I'm losing it.  Actually, I think I've already lost it.  But, it's funny.  Why not laugh?

Now, I need to go scrounge up some data that I thought I'd left on my desk but is nowhere in sight...Happy Monday!!!

A Little More Randomness

A series of photos were taken of a baby elephant playing in the sea.

This little guy hasn't a care in the world.  To see all of the photos click here.  I couldn't help but think about "letting go" when I came to this particular photo.  He didn't just stick his toes in the sand, he stuck his whole head in the water and let loose!  So often I get uptight about work, concerned about doing my best on every project, big or small.  I get discouraged when I think about the hurdles keeping us from moving back to Oregon.  Goodness, I can even get worked up over a list of chores on a Saturday morning...and that's before I even get out of bed!  I'm pretty sure I could learn a few things from this little guy.  Life "stuff" will always be there.  But if we don't take it, the opportunity to stick our nose in the water might just pass us by.
...and now, do you want to see what I mean when I say, "Spring has dropped her bags and made a splash?"

Check out this link: Spring Has Sprung! and click PLAY. 
When I watch this video, I can't help but wonder how people could fathom this world without a God.

Blooms & Blossoms

You guessed it! Spring has sprung.  More like Spring has dropped her bags, thrown on her swimsuit, and is splashing every innocent bystander in her way.  Between the 70 degree weather and the powder-puffed trees, Virginians are chomping at the bit to pull out their gardening supplies and pack away the sweaters.  The early switch from winter is absolutely stunning!

Walks with Hutch feel much like a fairytale under the white and pink canopies

Can't Ever Have Enough Fun

"Fun is good." -Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss wasn't the only grown man who knew how to have fun.  Jesse has a knack for turning something ordinary into quite the opposite.  He is creative, sometimes overly so, and he is constantly looking for ways to make life fun.

Jesse and his mom diligently slaved over this puzzle of Silverton, OR. 

They were both quite pleased with the finished product.

Helicopter from his mom

 

Who Has Your Hand?

Yesterday's message was rich.  The pastor spoke from Mark 5, the account of Jesus raising Jairus' daughter from the dead.  In the past, this account has been used to teach about the importance of unwavering faith in the midst of crisis, but yesterday, my eyes were opened to a whole new lesson.  God's timing is not our own.  Jairus was probably raging inside when Jesus stopped to speak to the chronically ill woman who touched his clothes.  Can you imagine?  Your daughter is dying, Jesus has agreed to come see her, but instead of rushing to your home, he stops to have a chat?  I would have been furious, and I'm sure my heart would've looked terribly ugly in that moment.  Yet, Jesus knew that neither illness nor death could stop him from performing miracles.  And amazingly, Jairus believed.  God's timing is never our own.  We may want immediate healing, or maybe we want a new job.  We pray and we pray, yet it seems like God doesn't deliver...at least not when we expect it.  But He asks us to believe, just as he asked Jairus to do so when his daughter died.

Next comes my favorite part.  You know when your read something in the Bible and it leaves goosebumps on your arms?  This did it for me...

Mark 5:38-41
When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly.  He went in and said to them, "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him.
After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, "Tailitha koum!"

First of all, I love that Jesus "put them all out," referring to those who laughed at him. Boy, did those people miss out!!  But then, Jesus says, "Talitha Koum";  meaning Little girl, I say to you, get up.  In other words, Jesus grabs the little girl's hand and says, "Honey, Sweetie, time to wake up."  He speaks to her like a father.  Children find comfort in holding their father and mother's hand.  Nothing can touch them when they have their safety net of a hand.  And Jesus held her tiny, lifeless hand (she was only twelve).

Who's hand do we find comfort in?  Who's hand do you grasp for in the darkness?  Who's hand do you fall into in the midst of crisis?  Who's hand do you use to brush away your tears?  His timing is not your own, but He never lets go of your hand, your heart.  One day, He will say to you, "Talitha koum."

Top Ten

We unmistakably survived the stresses of this week. That in itself should make the top ten list. Despite the complete craziness, I'm reminded of some very important things in life. No matter how difficult a week can be, there is still plenty to be thankful for. So, as a reminder to count our blessings, here is my Top Ten List of little reminders God sent me this week, reminding me of His love.

10. Every time I tuned in to the Christian radio station, there was a song about God's consistent love.
9. The sunrises have been vibrant this entire week. God's creativity makes me smile.
8. Even though I received some discouraging news this week, a miracle has occurred--I am NOT worried. Now that's a miracle; only God's strength could accomplish that.
7. God cares about the little things: I was given a couple fun gifts from my boss this week.
6. He may be just a dog, but Hutch's greetings at the end of the day wipe away all of the crazy pent up stresses from the previous ten hours of the day.
5. A friend from work thanked me for my friendship. It turns out she needed a friend just as much as me.
4. I received more texts, phone calls, and emails from friends and family this week than I have in a long time. I couldn't respond everytime, but it was so lovely to be blanketed in thoughtfulness.
3. The buds on many types of trees are bursting open into beautiful puffs of color. Streets are lined with soft pink and cream hues. Winter waved good bye just as Spring plopped her suitcases down and moved in.
2. Scripture seemed to pop up into my mind throughout the day. No matter what I was doing, God would whisper sweet reminders when I needed them most.
1. Hope. Hope of a better week next time, hope of rest this weekend, hope of a future in Heaven when our only purpose is to worship our Saviour. No matter the trials, there is always hope.

Have a fun weekend!!

Friday Finale

Hutch was intrigued by the reverse setting of the iPhone camera.  He was quite impressed with himself on the screen--couldn't take his attention away.

Breathe In. Breathe Out.

The past couple of weeks have been hectic.  Actually, that's a huge understatement, but I don't want to verge on sounding hysterical.  Yesterday I realized I'd not once visited the Ladies' Room, and by the time I got home, I was ready to burst.  It's a sign that things MUST slow down when I don't even have time to urinate (sorry, that sounded better than "pee").

Today is scheduled to be yet another busy, busy day.  But in spite of it all, I do have a clear view to the outside where the sun is shining brightly and the trees are blooming.  Woot woot!

I hope to take some photos of SPRING this weekend :)

Better Late Than Never

Hutch and me snuggling on the couch before bedtime. 

Pardon the Quality

We went to a Blazers game this weekend, and we watched them win!  Don't ask me what the score was...all I know is they surpassed 100 pts, and the two Oregonians visiting DC who were sitting behind us were super excited.  It was fun talking to people who knew where Seaside was. :)

Jesse and his friend James

This photo looks like a bad version of a Nintendo game...sorry...left the camera at home and sufficed with the iPhone.

My Very Own "Larry Nelson"

There is a coined term in my household that most others wouldn't understand: "Jeffrey Hull."  Walk inside several folks' homes within a ten mile radius of Cannon Beach, Oregon, and you may hear, "This is the most recent Jeffrey Hull we purchased. Don't you like the contrasts?"  Jeff is an incredible watercolor artist.  He can capture a moment in time on the beach with his paints better than most photographers could begin to attempt.  My parents happen to love his artwork, and they value his friendship too.

Well, I'm proud to say I'm coining a new term.  This time it's "Larry Nelson." 
*Don't blush, Dad.*

A package with my name on it arrived at my doorstep yesterday evening, and my heart skipped a few beats when I saw the return address appropriately reading "Dad."  By the flat shape of the box, I dared to hope what might be inside.  This year, Jesse and I decided to give my dad a unique Christmas gift.  We sent him to watercolor classes, knowing it was one of the mediums he didn't feel comfortable with.  For those of you who know my dad, you know full well that he's a talented man.  Now that he's taken watercolor classes, I'm not sure if there is a form of art he can't do....welll, I take that back.  He can't dance. :)  Anyways, after just three classes, he's practically a pro.

I'm thinking about opening up a gallery...

Sorry for the awkward angle--I was avoiding my reflection in the glass



Just Add Cinnamon

It's no coincidence I've decided to prune my unhealthy eating habits around the time of Lent.  It wasn't until after college that I even knew what Lent was (I wonder why we don't learn this in the Evangelical church even if we don't participate).  Getting back to the point--while I am not including myself in the tradition of Lent, I am participating in the opportunity to cut back and refocus.

I'm a pastry girl. I'm pretty sure when God created me in my mother's womb, He specifically put the right ingredients together to make me love them.  Besides a whole grain piece of bread, floury-sugary treats are no longer in my diet.  To call myself a stress eater might be an overstatement, but I do certainly enjoy comfort food.  So, it's with this Lent season, that I find myself retraining my mind and body to find comfort in the Everlasting source rather than one that will increase my pants size.

It's difficult.  Like I said...there is a monster inside me who craves treats.  But I realize I should be craving something else.  In order to help myself stick to this decision, I've also decided to cut back on sugar.  And with that, means plain old oatmeal in the morning.  Yesterday, I found myself moving the oatmeal around with the spoon rather than putting it in my mouth.  It was dry, lumpy, and oh so not appetizing.  After a quick jaunt to the break room, my problem was solved.  A quick sprinkle of cinnamon, and wuallah!  The oatmeal didn't stand a chance.

Similar to my bowl of oatmeal, my life can often feel unappetizing.  It can look dreary, and sometimes I would much rather pass it along to someone else.  But when we refocus on Christ and His mercy, our life sparks.  The shades are pulled back, and He shows us the extent of His love.  God created this marvelous world for our enjoyment.  He put Himself in things so that as we enjoy seeing His creation, we think of Him.  Rather than focusing on the blunders we create or the hardships we face, He wants us to focus on His love.  He has put a little dash of cinnamon in our life.

Make Yourself Comfortable

A little too close for comfort

Good Ol' Civic Duty

Monday Morning Mullings

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6: 6-7 NIV

If I had to pick one thing from the Jewish religion and culture to adopt as my own it would be the reverence for the Torah.  Scripture is precious, and not only do they treat the Word with respect and gratitude, but they plaster it all over their life.  The first time I saw a Mezuzah, the small plaque of Scripture posted on doorposts, I was helping my grandparents look for new homes in the Palm Springs area.  At the time, I must admit, I found it silly.  Who would want that in their home?  It wasn't until much later in my life (perhaps not all that long in reality), I realized their desire to fulfill a commandment was not only admirable, it was achievable.

I don't have tiny plaques with Scripture nailed to every door jam in my apartment.  I don't even have the Word written on colorful post-its, stuck to mirrors or dressers, as many do.  But something that I've been working on this past month is keeping Scripture on my mind.  Mental post-its with loud reminders to recall God's Truth as it applies to life throughout the day. 

I am surrounded by hurting people.  There are several folks at work experiencing complete brokenness; we have family members searching for truths in all the wrong places; and if I'm completely honest (and not hiding behind a smile), I'm hurting too.  What better way to encourage and uplift than with a dose of Truth?  It's easy to take for granted our leather bound Bibles.  We merely have to consider what color or translation we want, not fear for our lives if we are caught holding it.  People literally kill for that Book.  And we have access to it.  Let Scripture be on our hearts.

Happy March!