A Hint

I’m excited about the change that’s coming to my home in blogesphere.  And when I’m excited about something, I have a hard time keeping it a surprise.  You should have seen me as a kid anticipating Christmas.  I wanted hints about this and that, I scowered my house for hidden presents, and sometimes when I found wrapped packages- I found ways to sneak a peak.  I feel that same excitement as I see something I care about coming to life before my very eyes!! It’s just plain exciting.

So, if you want a hint of what’s to come- you’ll find it here.

Questionable?

Sometimes, Never, ALWAYS

Sometimes when life is hard, I feel unseen

Sometimes when I pray, I feel unheard

Sometimes I brazenly want to shake my fist at the sky or stomp my feet in a good ol’ fashioned tantrum

And then God speaks: Who do you say that I am, Amy…

He’s never indifferent

He’s never uncaring

He’s always responsive

He is the Lord.

When God’s actions look different from what I would have hoped for-  it has nothing to do with Him failing me- and everything to do with His sovereignty.  His sovereignty is about His strength, in which there’s no room for weakness. His sovereignty has everything to do with His passionate love for me, and nothing to do with indifference.

My perspective is so limited. My desires so tainted… but because He is sovereign, I can rest in assurance that everything God does, or does not do- is really about the depths of His love for me. A love that extends so much deeper, so much farther, so much wider… than I could ever comprehend.

Change is Coming…

Do you like change? I do.

I’ve always enjoyed re-arranging my furniture.

I love putting color on walls and if given the chance, I would change it more frequently than is really necessary.

I’m convinced that living space should be accessorized and that those accessories should be switched up- at least seasonally. I grew up in a house where mom’s baker’s rack was changed in accordance with every upcoming holiday- so I think I get my itch for “different” from her.

…and this blog is my “home” in cyberspace… so guess what???  Change is coming…

Captured

I take a crazy amount of pictures of my kiddos.  I think everything they do is worthy of being documented- and I love to play with photography (even though I really know nothing aside from point and shoot).  But- it’s rare when I take a shot that really caputres them. Yesterday, however, I took this one of Ellie and it’s TOTALLY her… all of her little nuances are wrapped up or somehow contained in this picture… and I love it:

I’m a WHAT?

There are a few labels in my life that I like: Mother, Friend, Wife, Writer, Sister. But there’s one that just doesn’t seem to fit: Missionary.  Someone called me a missionary the other day and I found myself looking around to see who they were talking about.  I wonder why it’s an uncomfortable label for me? Maybe because that word conjures so many pre-conceived ideas that rub me the wrong way. Just ask my dear friend Emily – when we were introduced almost a decade ago I was described by our mutual boss as a former missionary… and she still thinks I was wearing a long skirt with a bun in my hair when we met.  When I hear the word missionary- I don’t think of a “normal” person.  I think of someone who is probably a little weird and socially awkward.  I think of someone who loves doctrine potentially more than they love Jesus.  I think of someone who would never spend $3 on a latte…ever.

Ouch? I don’t mean any offense- this is just me talking.  And I don’t know where my pre-conceived notions about missionaries come from.  In fact, all of the “missionaries” I know (Alece, Sarah, @ngie,- just to name a few!) don’t fit this mold at all.  What I see in all of those women is that they live a missional life- A life centered on loving God and making Him known.  Being missional has nothing to do with location.  It has everything to do with lifestyle.  Heart orientation. Purpose-driven living.

I still won’t call myself a missionary. But I will choose live a missional life-  no matter where home is.

Inside My Brain

Life has been busy and my mind has been swirling. I haven’t stayed with a creative thought long enough to actually write a post, but I miss blogging. Ironic.

So, as I sit here- trying to flag down a waitress for yet another coffee… my mind goes here and there… have a look inside:

I wonder how long Africa will be home? Silas’ new-found accent cracks me up and makes me shake my head.

Where did I put my iPod… I swear I left it in the console and it’s not there… I’m feeling slightly panicked.

It will be nice when Ellie doesn’t wake up at 5:30

I can’t believe my dad’s here. I won’t want to take him back to the airport next week.

Budgets. Ugh… I HATE budgets. Why do finances stress me out so much… it’s just money.

My friend thinks she has a muffin-top?  REALLY??? no man…

Time to stand up and flag down a waitress…

Good Clean Fun

Overwhelmed?

Does life feel overwhelming to you too?  Like a wave barreling down from above. Like quick sand.  It feels claustrophobic. Like an overcrowded elevator on a hot summer day. I’ve felt like that a few times this week, even just moments ago.  And then, His voice says… “Choose to be overwhelmed by Me… and by Me alone.”

So that’s where I’m standing.  Submerged in who He is. Flooded by His promises. Soaking in His words.  Overwhelmed, indeed.

Wednesday’s Window

My kiddos are accessorizing! Ellie with her adorable pigtails and Silas with his Sotho meets New Orleans hat!