Long Overdue...

Well, well, well..... for those of you still willing to read my story this is LONG overdue. I could share a million excuses as to why I haven't written again since my first entry but the truth is LIFE gets in the way. My best intensions are buried somewhere beneath laundry, groceries and cooking for six people. They are buried underneath urgent ministry needs, work, family celebrations, exercise (when I get around to it) and sheer exhaustion.  But with the craziness going on in our world due to COVID-19 I find myself with more time than I normally do. That is not to say that life is slow --- nope. Not mine. Not raising four kids and running a ministry. But your's probably isn't either.  If we're honest most of stay tired. Quarantine has forced me to slow down. Life right now is probably as slow as it is going to get for many years. The beauty is it has allowed me some time to write to you -- which I absolutely love!

I am not trying to minimize the health and financial crisis that face our world right now. But I have learned that those are not things I can control. I have also learned that life is lived while situations aren't ideal. I have learned that life is lived in the "in between" moments. I want to do "what I can" with "what I have"... TODAY.  We've all heard, "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

Well, here is my "lemonade" today....

For years I have longed to slow down. For years I have dreamt of the near magical, lazy days of childhood before technology demanded our attention and the world expected an immediate response. While I never would have wished for it to happen this way, I HAVE enjoyed the chance to rest and spend time with my precious family. I HAVE enjoyed what others might consider boring -- evenings spent playing board games, baking biscuits from scratch, arranging fresh flowers in my crystal rose bowl, grilling burgers, rocking my baby and holding him while he sleeps just to feel the rise and fall of his peaceful breath. I guess what I love about these simple things is the chance my soul gets to breathe in deep the memories that I will treasure for years to come. I get excited about being SO present that I can

see,
taste
and smell
those quiet evenings.

FOR THAT I am thankful!

As I sit here with a hot cup of Chai tea I find myself thanking the Lord for what I DO HAVE. I have a beautiful family. I have time to spend with them. We have hot dinners and a cozy place to rest our heads at night. I work really hard to cultivate a thankful heart -- but even more so when life seems out of control and overwhelming. I have learned that my contentment in large part is a byproduct of a thankful heart. And the condition of my heart dictates whether or not I am grounded -- centered -- focused on what matters most. 

I don't know how you are feeling. Our lives are all different. Our circumstances are all different, but we ALL share in this one thing -- the human condition is broken. WE are broken. I don't know how broken or busted up you are feeling right now or what specific obstacles you are walking through. But I am all too familiar with the busted, brokenness of this world. So if you are needing a safe place to rest. I hope this meets you where you are.

Because CHRIST is enough. He just IS. 

My STORY is about His faithfulness in the midst of my circumstances. I wish I could tell you that it is about my circumstances changing -- but it isn't. It IS however about how God is faithful to us in the midst of our hardest, darkest days. I guess it is time for me to share what the Lord has taught me -- IT IS LONG OVERDUE.

My guess is that right now all of us are feeling a bit out of control. Before I delve much further I just want to encourage  you to find something -- ANYTHING to be thankful for. 

I am thankful for.... buttercream frosting. I know that probably seems ridiculous. But here is the reason why: My twin boys turned five this week. I am one of those crazy mommas that like to throw beautiful Pinterest parties. I can feel some of you rolling your eyes as I write this -- but hang on -- let me explain. I throw my kids those kind of parties because I LOVE IT! Really -- I do! I love creating, baking and the time spent making the ideas from their imagination come to life. I love the quality time I get to spend with them planning their special day. In fact, I hardly ever post anything. In fact I am usually too busy soaking up the excitement on their faces to think to post anything. Every year I plan a party based on their interests. It helps me bookmark the years and freeze their precious selves at each given stage. 

Quarantine messed up our lovely family tradition. And man, oh man was it hard on this momma's heart. I tried to make the best of it, but I knew and THEY knew that things were different. There were no lovely decorations -- no darlings cakes -- no cute outfits or friends and family to share it with.

In fact I just picked up what I could at H-E-B when I went to buy groceries. Instead of beautiful artwork on their cake I opted to spend the time baking it WITH them. Instead of decorating it for them I handed them the supplies I could round up and let them decorate their own cakes. Instead of cute outfits they picked out their own clothes and were quite happy to do so. Instead of presents from family and friends I wrote a Dr. Seuss-like scavenger hunt and we spaced their gifts over several days because Amazon was backed up. We settled for board games and drive-by visits from the grandparents. But you know what... My boys felt loved and that was all those parties were ever meant to do! 

If you're celebrating someone you love while you are stuck at home quarantined from the world, this buttercream recipe might help. Or maybe you just need a reason to celebrate something -- anything. I think after tasting this recipe you will be thankful for it too. Either way, this is my favorite buttercream recipe EVER. It is delish and will make the most simple cake taste absolutely divine. I hope you find something to thank the Lord for today... even if it is as silly as buttercream frosting.  After all, time with the people you love is what makes life really SWEET!

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
~ ​Proverbs 17:22

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