Frenzied

“To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, to surrender to too many demands, to commit oneself to too many projects … is to succumb to violence. The frenzy of our activism … kills the root of inner wisdom which makes work fruitful.”

~Thomas Merton

Thankful I'm learning how to say 'no' and God's gentle peace a midst the crazed pace of these last few weeks.

Leap for Joy!

This is a shout-out to my big sister who celebrates her birthday today on her actual birth date! 

Novel idea, right? 

So. Cheers to you, Kelley! 

Happy HAPPY Birthday on this special 

February 29, 2012!!

I'm so thankful for YOU! 

Love, 

Your technically 'younger' yet 'older' sister ;-) 

Juxtaposed

Pretty in Pink

Hope against a very gray sky...

I am thankful for these pink beauties that are beginning to pop up. An inkling that Spring does exist.  I love these two pictures because it's of the same tree but looks so different. Yet, I love them both. 

[and then I dropped my iTouch and cracked the screen...bah.]
[but. still grateful for the pink blossoms. and that my iTouch still works...]

February Flash

Thankful for...

Fresh-baked bread
Exceedingly productive weeks
Becoming members at church
Restful Weekends
Umbrellas (hello Seattle Winter, nice of you to show up)
Amazing wine, dinners and conversations
Reading Me to We
Yes, my half-sister celebrates on her REAL birthday this year!! [yay 2.29.12!]

Gratitude

Gratitude...

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." --Melody Beattie from Me to We by Craig & Marc Kielburger. 

"To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven." --Johannes A. Gaertner from Me to We by Craig & Marc Kielburger 

Thank You for the rain...I loved listening to the pitter patter, drip drop rush. 

 Thank You, also, for a roof over my head so I can listen to the rain in comfort...

A prayer taken from my Pastor to begin this season of Lent: 

O Lord Christ….

You are the light of the world truly, but also the light for each of us on our particular paths.  Sometimes we long for more, whether it be money, fame, influence, or ‘meaning’ in our work.  Sometimes we want to run away from it all.  May this Lenten season enable us to hear your voice with greater clarity, so that our yes’s, or no’s, and our silent waiting are all bathed in the peace of knowing that we’re in your will.  And we will thank you for the fruit of peace that comes only when our ambitions are aligned with yours.

Amen…

Searching My Soul

Tomorrow begins the season of Lent.
A season of "soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock." (more info found here). 


After taking some time to reflect on what I am working toward this year and realizing what currently holds my attention I've decided to fast from Facebook and Tumblr and the iPod will be shut off each evening. I've never fasted from Facebook and never really needed to...but lately it's become a time-trap. Mindlessly scanning, then comparing and ultimately focusing on what I'm lacking whether is be material possessions, witty updates or epic adventures. My mind and spirit feels bombarded and restless with the endless images and messages and instant-everything. So, fasting from that and taking the time to meet and sit in the presence of Christ is much needed. 


Lent isn't just about fasting from something you probably should have given up already --- like having dessert at every meal, or your soda-addiction, or sugar because it'd be nice to lose a few pounds by Spring Break... it's more about meeting Christ in the desert and allowing Him to show you the holes you are trying to fill with ________ and instead relying on Christ and His strength in those weaknesses. It's a time of repentance and bringing to light which areas in my life aren't where they should be and need to change. 


So, therefore I am also adding something this season. I am adding Gratitude. Each day I aim to write at least one or two things I am grateful for. Take the focus off of what I'm lacking and on to what God has blessed me with. 


I was also encouraged by my pastor's reflections and own journey for this Lenten season. 

Love Letter

Dear Coffee Cup,

I love you.
I love that I can fill you with strong coffee when my exhausted self can hardly figure out how to send an email.
I love that I can fill you with tea when I just want to relax and read.
I love the steadiness and peace you bring to a busy space.
I love warming my hands on your heated ceramic.
I love that you can hold comfort when I'm sick or upset.
I love that you can hold steaming joy when shared over conversations with others.
I love all your different shapes, colors, words and memories.

Love,
Jenn