The gift of Encouragement

As I was drinking my delicious Sump coffee and preparing my heart for the day, I stumbled upon the wee book of Philemon---squeezed between Titus and Hebrews--this single page of wisdom grabbed my attention.

Soaking up the words from Paul to Philemon, a man who is a fellow follower of Christ, this book provides a revelry in encouragement and hospitality.

I think sometimes we forget those gifts!! It is a gift to lovingly encourage those around you--even if they already know Christ. It is a gift to welcome people into your home, serve them a warm meal, and offer them a cozy bed.

Paul celebrates Philemon's faith in the Lord and love for all the saints stating: "Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints." (v.7)

He then goes on and asks Philemon to welcome a fellow believer back into his home as if he is a son---a man---a brother in Christ. Paul has no doubt that Philemon will welcome this man, Onesimus, over and beyond what is asked of him. (v.21)

Whether it is opening your home for a seasonal craft brunch, having an open door policy when it comes to house guests, or simply listening with keen ears---the gifts of encouragement and hospitality are to be celebrated.

I offer a special thank you to the women in St. Louis who modeled this for me. You each have done an excellent job of building community through mutual encouragement and blessing. Thank you for continually exemplifying for me the art of the selfless giving.

Hummingbirds and other creatures of the earth

Living in the country has its perks.

I love the fact that I can spontaneously waste time by staring out my picture window, glazed eyes shining, mind filled with the complexities of being a duck.

A tame duck, at that.

You could pet our ducks if you wanted to. They are that tame. Because they are basically pets. (Not ours, our landlord's)... They have a hut. They walk in a straight line everywhere...But I digress.

I love the fact that I can be busy wrestling the garbage bag out of the trashcan, sweat glistening on my brow, biceps getting a workout, foot awkwardly trying to hold the container down while I heave-ho, and all of a sudden I glance out the window to see a charming flitting hummingbird peering through the window taking in my battle with waste.

(In that mili-second I realized that hummingbirds have a way of piercing the soul and seeing who you really are. This realization has perpetuated an innate desire in me to have a hummingbird feeder so I can regularly be seen for real. Maybe then my ability to talk to the animals will come to fruition and not be a figment of my imagination.)

I also love the fact that I can take any of my work or pleasure outside and do it by a pond (a green pond, but that is beside the point). I have been trying to be "productive" while simultaneously enjoying all that is around me. I regularly take Red's camping chair (his reclines--) and nestle it in our sometimes tallish grass and pretend like I'm French and incredibly genius. (Because these things are necessary in life?)

I've had a lot more time on my hands to be enjoying the outdoors. Red started up football camp this week--so our times together will forevermore be short and few. (Ok, not forevermore--but definitely most of the time...)

It's been fun returning to my bachelorette days--but challenging as well---what does one do when one has 12 hours straight of not interacting with another human being?

I'll tell you:

Nap, read, look for work, plan meals, eat snacks instead, and work-out.

This doesn't sound too bad--but human interaction is welcomed. Perhaps this is why I have taken to the animals.

What do you do when tons of alone-time is suddenly upon you?

Living Today as it is Supposed to be Lived

Living in the moment is a difficult challenge. There are always so many other things we could be doing--and so we fill our minds with what needs to be done, what we wish we were doing, what we could be doing, what we ought to be doing, and what we know we shouldn't do.

Quickly the day devolves into a flash of events narrated by the to-do list and the wish-list filling our brains. Worry of something slipping and failure consume us. We miss the opportunities all around to connect with people, smell roses, and to actually enjoy our day.

Yes, we have responsibilities. Yes, we do have to manage a gazillion things. But I challenge you. What if today you focused 100% on what is in front of you. Still make that list--but when you are doing the laundry or talking to  friend on the phone, be 100% engaged. Be there. 

As I was checking out at Walmart this morning, my cashier and I struck up a conversation. From Haiti, this man had a joyful temperament that was infectious. Before I reached the register, 4 or 5 colleagues came up just to talk to him--and he was laughing and bringing life to everyone he engaged with. His presence brought a smile to my face.

Exchanging pleasantries, he warmly asked how my morning had been so far and I replied by saying that I had no complaints. He heartily responded with, "Isn't that the truth? You went to bed last night and woke up this morning!" I smiled and said, "That's right!"

Friends, I quickly I responded! But do I truly operate out of that blessing? Do I really live as if today is a gift from God and not just another day to be filled? How different my vision for my day is when I realize the value it has. 

Today is not just another day. Refuse to give into that. Today is a day that you have an opportunity.

An opportunity: to get ahead in house work; to call a friend you haven't spoken with in a while; to read a book that moves you; to teach your child the beauty of forgiveness; to snuggle with your spouse; to push through that work deadline; to enjoy the gift of a car (even if it is in traffic!); and the list goes on.

So, do not worry about tomorrow. Instead, be where you are and enjoy life as it comes to you. It will not always be an easy life, but it will always be yours.

Matthew 6:25-3425 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Country Retreat

Our new retreat has its pros and cons:

Pro:

Our pond.
Our beautiful front window.
The dozens of bird types right out our door.
Getting to plant a garden.


Con:

Mice.


Whoa.

I am a city girl---something I have not been forced to claim until now.

Now, we have mice and I have to accept the fact that I am unable to set traps (or more importantly to clean up  aforementioned set traps).

Red has been a brave, brave man. We have officially caught 2 and I have a feeling that there are a few more to go.

EEP.

Pray for my survival.

Carolina Green

Spring in NC has been remarkable.

Never before have I seen Wisteria growing wild along side the roads and highways or been blown away by the slow changing from the pale pink to hurt your eyes purple flowers of the Japanese Plum Tree.

It has been transforming for me to observe the changes of the season. The dry gray place we moved to has suddenly brilliantly awaken with blossoms blooming, the spaces between filled with every shade of green imaginable.

The greens here are wild. Seriously. I know Ireland is known for their green--but North Carolina could join the contest.

As we drive along country roads my eyes are trained on the world beyond my window drinking in the vibrancy we pass through: lime, olive, almost black, emerald, avocado, apple, hunters------green.

Our driveway

I am so glad Spring is here! Aren't you?

A Slave to Fear

I have never considered myself an anxious person. Never have I struggled with panic attacks or been unable to push through the day because of my worries. If you had asked me about my approach to life, I would have said: "I'm a flexible planner and believe everything will work out." Life is as hard as I make it--so I'll let things roll off my back and I will move on and have faith, and have hope, and have a future.

With Red's and my move to NC and leap of faith into the world of coaching, I feel more and more exposed.

My fear has been found out---and not only that, it has been growing for my whole life. It is a monster.

Though I am not debilitated with attacks or physical responses---my mind races with my deficiencies, doubts, and debates: Should we have moved here? Was this the right decision? Will anyone hire me? There is no way that is a good fit. I'll never find my niche here. I'll probably mess up anyways.

You can imagine how the narration continues.

It is incredible to me that despite the Lord's provision in ALL things, I find ways to cling to my fear instead of the cross.

I revisited my journal entries from the past 7 months and read through my prayers of praise and pleadings for faith. "Father allow me to abound in you! Grow my faith and dependency on you so that only You receive glory." Prayers punctuated with the desire to know His plan for us and to be in His will.

For 7 months my prayers have not changed.

As I read through my notebook I began to recognize the pattern of fear lurking beneath the surface:

"Father tell me your will! (but not really, because I'm not sure I can handle it); Father, give me faith! (but not really, because I want to work out my life according to my own plan, not yours); Father, what are you calling me to do? (please, don't answer--I don't want to obey you.)

Fear of depending on the Lord. A fear to hope in His goodness. A fear to jump in the pool.

A favorite professor of mine from graduate school would regularly work through things with me and would use the analogy of a pool. My arena is huge---my boundaries are far reaching---but when it comes to jumping into the pool in the center---I freak out.

I want to dip a toe and then explain to you how I'm swimming with out being submerged.

Christ does not call me to simply dip my toe into His will. He calls me to jump with abandon.

Hey Laura, do a cannonball...a cartwheel off the diving board...even a belly flop.

I am convinced that I am not called to live a life of fear. Fear of failure, fear of the past, fear of opinions, fear of mistakes, fear of hurt, fear of exposure, fear of faith, fear of hope, fear of God's will.

Scripture is clear:

"Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are Sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Sonship. And by Him we cry Abba Father!" Romans 8: 14-15

"...Though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so your faith --of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor, when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1:6-7

I do not have to live under fear because I am a daughter of Christ. I do not have to wonder about my trials because they are here to prove my faith in the Lord and to bring glory to Christ.

So, I'm wondering if our move to NC was a major nudge from the Lord for me to finally jump into the pool...

Though I'd rather do a swan dive--I'm pretty sure it's going to be a belly flop---painful, screaming--but hey, that water sure is going to feel cool and refreshing.

Hello New Life

Well, so you may or may not have heard the news...but Red and I have officially picked up shop and moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

No. I'm not joking...and yes the Lou is officially in our rearview mirror.

To be honest---it has been a rough go! Life has been so sweet in StL. We built our marriage there and have been blessed in a beyond measurable way with friends, community, church, culture, delicious food, local beers, and outstanding coffee.

Anything that follows the Lou follows greatness.

With that being said, it would be against my personal view of life if I told you that Chapel Hill had nothing to offer.

Red and I have already found an off the chain Mexican restaurant (yes, off the chain) and I have been exploring several of the farm to table local gems. There is plenty of shopping and antiquing surrounding us and the people are all VERY nice (we are in the South again!)

Red's long hours provides plenty of free time for me to get lost in the streets of the Triangle (did I mention Durham and Raleigh are down the road?)---though I think I'm supposed to be looking for a job.

With huge changes come-----huge changes?

Difficult and true.

I will keep you posted as we begin to unfold what North Carolina has to offer and as Red and I find our way in our new home.

Cheers!

Houseplant Confession

So remember how I have been hunting for a house plant for---well, a month or so?

Hmmm....haven't found one yet.

However, due to not going out of town today as was expected, I had a little extra time to do some exploring in my own home town.

It is a beautifully sunny day--cool but warmer than it has been. The perfect weather to get out and about.

Red and I headed down S. Grand to Chimichanga's for lunch---despite rave reviews via Urbanspoon, we left being glad we got that our of our system and with no intention of returning. ( I will say their chips were excellent....thin and light.)

That aside...

Red was meeting up with AD at Sump, so we headed down to Cherokee Street to Antique Row so I could pop into a few of my favorite places. By few, I mean one---where I found a fab old chair that I would love to buy and reupholster. (I'm kidding!!! Ok, no I'm not--but now isn't the best time.)

We left there for Red to hang with AD. I headed around the corner to Meremec and Grand---to an area known as Dutchtown.

Now. I had heard of Dutchtown, but I had never experienced it. And the row that had caught my eye was 4 stores of consignment/re-sale shops. You know I like that.

The first one-- Zaftig was great.

Here is where the confession part comes in.

I found a pair of J.Brand jeans for $17.00

This is an incredible find people. I couldn't pass it up. They fit (....besides needing to be hemmed a few inches) and they are beautiful. I say yes to that.

And the proprietor of the store was a sassy woman filled with personality. Bricks (her nickname) was not to be pushed aside. She even gave me some earrings for half-price. I say yes to that too!

Soft coral/pink color

Unfortunately, this means my hunt for a houseplant is on pause. I had set aside a little birthday money and have officially spent it.

So, future Houseplant? I say sorry to you. My heart is weak for good deals and the jeans beat you out. In a few months I'll make it up to you.

Food Glory

With the onset of a new week, it is time to attack menu planning.

Red and I like to eat. By like, I mean we adore it.

Red is the resident food critic amongst our friends and is always researching or concocting some new dish.

It's been quite nice actually. Having started a new internship at Ronald McDonald House, I haven't had the same amount of time to put into cooking...but good ole' Red has gladly stepped in.

This week, I decided I would return to my old duties as wife and plan the menu for our upcoming week...(and, hopefully execute it).

The challenge is that we have really struggled to return to a healthy lifestyle since Christmas. My parent's spoiled us with fabulous Southern cooking the entire time we were at home---and it has proven to be impossible to bounce back. (pecan pie anyone?? or, cornbread??)

So with that in mind--I am determined to eat at least semi-healthy this week.

Healthy is relative, right?

Our Dinner Plans:

• Roasted Pork Chops with Mashed Cauliflower
• Rosemary Garlic Chicken Quarters with Quinoa and Spicy, Caramelized Green-beans
• White Bean Soup with Andouille and Collards, and Salad
• Chicken with Tomato Herb Sauce, Sweet Potatos, and Salad

Yum.

What are you cooking this week?

Radical Pursuit

Today is the day.

We have been planning for 6+ months and here it is:

Radical Pursuit: A weekend Retreat for Women.

Praise the Lord for all He is doing in and through our church community!

I have been gathering my personal things and my thoughts as I prepare not only for sweet fellowship with lovely ladies but also for sweet communion with the Lord.

Father, I pray that this weekend is filled with rejuvenation of spirit and reminders of our full redemption in Christ.

Blessings,

Houseplants and Donuts

I woke up with a huge hankering for a stroll around our neighborhood. You know...it's Sunday morning; it's cheerfully bright; it's crisp and refreshing; and....

It's blanketed in 4 inches of unexpected snow.

Ok, so no walk.

BUT instead of a Sunday morning walk, why not venture out into the winter wonderland via le Trooper and continue my hunt for a houseplant?

My thoughts exactly. There was absolutely no sound reason to stay home. Icy roads and frigid temperatures are nothing against my zealous desire to either a) build a terrarium or b) at least have a beautiful houseplant.

I lassoed Red into partnering with me on this escapade and off we went to the wonderful, marvelous, magically curated Bowood Farms Greenhouse and Gift shoppe in the Central West End.

Wandering the aisles of house plants, terrarium finds, and air plants, I was certain to find what I longed for: an Oxalis.

Didn't happen.

But, I did get to experience Bowood Farms in an excellent way. As you enter through their chartreuse front doors, you are transplanted into another world. They have an excellent selection of house plants but also carry distinctive gifts and accents for the home and garden.

It honestly felt like a special place....as if I could do anything! That terrarium is in reach, Laura! They even provided inspiration:

Although I didn't find my Oxalis (they will carry them in March in time for St. Patrick's Day), it was a rejuvenating experience to meander through their trove and get ideas for gifts in the future

One of my favorites for a young boy or girl:

Mouse in a box!

After our field-trip to Bowood Farms, Red and I headed home...

Only to be overcome by the need for donuts.

And so, we stopped at World Fair's Donuts.

And the heaven's cried Hallelujah!!

Wow--life was just made a little bit better.

For $2.86 we had 4 donuts (what just happened?!) and a small cup of coffee to wash it down.

People. These donuts are worth the drive. No matter where you are in the St. Louis area, come eat this goodness.

I highly recommend the Buttermilk Cake Donut and Red gives his highest regards to the Classic Glazed.

Now we are home recuperating from a rush of inspiration at Bowood's and a rush of sugar and  inspiration at World's Fair Donuts.

What a great start to the day. Red is reading his book and I'm focusing on getting my mind right for the SuperBowl tonight.

 Really, I'm getting my mind right for all that food.

Cheers to you!

Happy New Year!! (26 days late!)

It is a gray Sunday afternoon and I have been curled up in our cozy leather chair devouring East of Eden by Steinbeck. My mind has been wandering the valley of Salinas, slipping through the retelling of Genesis as if it is all I ought to be thinking of, for forever. I have been consumed.

With the onset (27 days in is still consider "the onset", correct?) of the new year, I typically sit in a cocoon of self-reflection. I evaluate life, self, past, present, future and pray a lot. This typically produces an outpouring of questions--or conversations focused on the New Year and what it brings.

I begun early this year (or last year, if you will)---asking my friends over Christmas what their New Year's resolutions were. This foray was initiated out of curiosity--an interesting way to catapult conversation forward and glean a little taste of each other's heart.

I had jumped into these conversations with out my own question answered---what would be my resolution this year?

Now, I am of the mind that resolutions are not just for the start of each year. (I'm sure you've heard that before)...But honestly! It's true. If we were limited to goals being set only at the beginning of each year we would hold a  ridiculously small perspective and be disappointed... defined by our chaotic holidays and gluttonous meals.

Instead, resolutions should be fluid---or perhaps, gelatinous. Firm--but flexible...ready to morph if needed.

Hence, the process behind my resolutions has been long-winded and arduous. They've shifted shape too many times to count. But seeing that they are about to be published on the internet, I believe I have finally reached my final list.

Yes, list. It takes more than one improvement to help me.

Here are my hopes and goals for this year:

1. To memorize more Scripture.
2. To be better at "playing".
3. To learn something new (and learn it well)
4. To write in cursive.

To memorize more Scripture is to guide my heart and to help me love others through the Gospel, more powerfully.

To be better at playing means for me to be better at playing around--joking--being comfortable in non-serious circumstances. I have found that the people who leave the most lasting positive impression on me are those who are good at playing, as well as, working. I want to grow in that.

To learn something new could be taking a few different shapes: 1) Red and I are learning Spanish via Rosetta Stone (Thanks Vane!!) 2) I am desperate to learn how to play the banjo and there is a folk music school close by that could make that a reality. 3) I want to take a class about indesign and/or web design.

To write in cursive just seems like a good idea. I admire nice penmanship. It makes me feel like a lady....and it is quicker, once you're good at it.

So, boom.

That's the list. 26 days behind schedule.

It has been a wonderful New Year. Red and I have changed life direction, visited dear friends in Nashville, eaten our weight in homemade corn bread, returned to the world of Downtown Abbey, and have been soaking up the blustery cold of the Mid-west.

(I may or may not have almost busted it walking down our icy front steps this morning as we headed to Sump for brunch... no worries, I have neither broken bone nor bruise to report.)

Though I'm sure you have already created your list of things to do for this year--I encourage you to continue considering where you are and where you want to be---there seems to always be room for change, no matter the space available.

Happy New Year!