Thoughts On Lent

I didn't grow up practicing Lent. But this year I found myself intrigued to learn more, and felt drawn into it over the past week or so. I would by no means consider myself an expert on the topic, but wanted to share a few thoughts I've been pondering. 

 

1. I don't think it is really about what we give up, but why. The Bible is so clear that sacrifice without our hearts turned toward God is meaningless (Mark 12:33, Isaiah 29:13). When our hearts are set on seeking God, I think that He shows us and guides us with what our sacrifices should look like. I did find it interesting to learn that the  sacrifices of the Old Testament were so substantial that they were total foolishness to the world. They gave the very best of what they had, trusting in faith that God would provide far better than what they could provide for themselves. With our finances, our time, our resources, what would it look like to really sacrificially give this way? To allow God to use all that we have in a way that may appear foolish to the world? I think it is absolutely a heart issue reflecting the depth of our trust in the Lord, and a gauge of whether we are really storing up our treasures in heavenly places. 

Baby Showers!

This weekend was full of baby showers! I had one for a co-worker (and good friend!) on Saturday and another one on Sunday for a good friend from Athens. It was such a fun thing to celebrate and share the excitement with these new mommas! So many of my friends are pregnant now/just had a baby, and I could not be more excited for them!  

Remember these books?  I loved them! I think children's books make the cutest baby shower gifts :)

lovely ladies of 7E

Baby Girl Mazlyn is on the way! 

At Marie's shower in Athens... she is glowing! :)


Yesterday Kip and I both had the day off, which is a very rare thing on a weekday! We had the best day, just relaxing and spending time together. We went out for Mexican for lunch (always a favorite of mine), and spent the afternoon doing some stuff around the house, playing with Ollie, and even took a nap. Wouldn't it be great if all weekends were 3 days long? I feel refreshed and ready to go again. I think!
Have a great week, ya'll! 

All About Kip (Happy Belated V-Day!)

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, and because I know that he'll never post anything on this blog himself, I thought I would share a little bit about Kip and why I think he's so awesome! 

I met Kip when I was 18 in Americus, Ga. He was on a tennis scholarship to Georgia Southwestern State and we met at church one Sunday. I was going away to college (and thought he was way out of my league!) but we stayed friends and started dating when I was 19. I can't imagine my life without him! Like most married folks, we are totally different, yet we balance each other so well. And the longer we've been married, the much more we have become like each other??... something I was not anticipating I guess!

A very early picture of us! Not sure if we were officially dating yet or not ...
what a cutie he is :)

At a friend's wedding... such a fun memory! (we are awful dancers though!!)

Engaged! February 7, 2009

Wedding Day! August 1, 2009

Here it is ... A few things I love about Kip:

( I love a list!)

1. He is consistent, calm, steady 

2. He's a weird goofball, but makes me laugh every.single.day

3. He has a beautiful, contagious smile

4. He loves to serve other people

5. He is genuinely thoughtful and kind 

6. He teaches me how to play tennis

7. He is a great listener! Even lets me rant about vaccinations and cancer screenings...all things I know he could care less about 

8. He knows sports trivia down to the minute details from decades ago.. I find this amazing

9. He cleans the toilets for me and has a weird desire to vacuum things. a lot.

10. He makes the best coffee

11. He is totally tone deaf and it is the cutest thing when he sings as loud as he can. Which he does often! 

12. He encourages me to pursue my dreams 

13. He prays with me/for me

14. He loves to travel

15. He has great priorities

16. He says/does hilarious things in his sleep

17. He makes up about 100 jingles during the course of a day

18. He's always honest with me, trustworthy

19. He's lighthearted and a true optimist (this is especially good for me because I know that I'm way too intense!) 

20. He knows how to be a great best friend

I think I could go on and on but I will spare you! Hopefully you know Kip a little bit better. I am continually in awe of how good God has been to bring us together. I couldn't have known what I needed in a husband or how to be a wife. But I am so grateful for the grace and wisdom of the Lord. His ways are so good! 

We are still learning every day how to honor one another more, have more fun, grow deeper together...But I can say honestly that marriage has been the most sanctifying, beautiful thing. I am not the same person I was, and I know that through the work of Jesus this will continue to be true. 

Happy (belated) Valentine's Day Everyone! 

"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us"... 1 John 3:16

Friends in Town + Proverbs

Another week begins again! Even though we got a little rain, we had a GORGEOUS weekend here in Atlanta... felt like spring already and made me anxious for even warmer weather to be here!

We had friends of ours, Arthur and Erin, stay with us Saturday and Sunday and it was so fun to have them here and catch up. They live in Americus and both keep busy schedules. So it was one of those things we've been trying to make happen for months! We were pretty low-key but enjoyed chatting, eating, watching old Friends episodes and playing board games. I made chili and cornbread and we "watched" the Superbowl. It was great.



Here are a few pics from the weekend...