Adventure...in His Hands

I'm at a point in life where I'm starting to feel more "settled." Like I'm "putting down roots." But I've been reminded recently to hold my plans and roots loosely - I'm supposed to keep my eyes focused on my King and follow where He leads me.

A friend just shared this quote: "Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventure" - L. Drachman

Mike and I have been talking recently about this "adventure" we're on. Sure we're curious and love to live life. But I think really, it boils down to the fact that we've surrendered our lives to whatever plans God has for us. Rather than begrudgingly trudging down the path God has for us, it's better to keep our eyes focused on Him, excited about whatever "adventures" - big or small - He has for us.

Which leads me back to the title of this blog - "Step by Step In His Hands"...It could also be called "Adventures...In His Hands." :)

Note: No, we're not planning to move. We've just been reminded recently that while we can make plans, we need to "hold them loosely," because God's plans might look different than ours.

Gratitude Journal #27

What I am thankful for:
*God is sovereign
*this adventure we're living
*this "front row seat" that God has given us to watch what He is doing in the world
*my sister
*sunshine
*coffee
*chocolate chip cookie bars
*that I was able to fix a zipper on a piece of clothing so it doesn't need to be replaced
*games, especially games with friends

What I want:
*For God to direct our steps, and for our desires to not get in the way
*to get a bunch of mail together to send to the US with a friend
*to write in my journal
*to cross some things off my "to do" list today...
*...but yet not be burdened/weighed down by the "to do list"

Gratitude Journal #26

What I am thankful for:
*The GORGEOUS weather we have had the past few days - is it really January? Because it feels, smells, and looks more like spring. :) (Look at the picture that I just took - I know that it isn't the best picture, but look at the cloudless blue sky - amazing! :)
*The church bells that ring regularly, marking the time.
*That our car repairs were MUCH less extensive and MUCH less expensive than we had anticipated - praise the Lord for His provision in this way!
*Walks with Mike (especially in this beautiful weather!)
*time with friends
*phone calls with family

What I want:
*To use my time wisely this week
*To be dependent on God, instead of myself or anything else
*To talk to my sister on the phone this week (we've had trouble connecting this week:)
*To add a bit more "structure" to my days this semester, but to not take too much on - wisdom in making these decisions
*To read and journal more this week

The art of living

The art of living is to enjoy what we can see and not complain about what remains in the dark. When we are able to take the next step with the trust that we will have enough light for the step that follows, we can walk through life with joy and be surprised at how far we go.

-Henry Nouwen

Near to the heart of God...

There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God. A place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet, near to the heart of God. A place where we our Savior meet, near to the heart of God.

From the hymn, "Near to the Heart of God"

Gratitude Journal #25

What I'm thankful for:
*sunshine
*good sleep
*an unexpected visit yesterday from 2 of Mike's former HBR (dorm) guys
*my caring husband...and that he just called me just to see how my day was going
*black beans...and the fact that I remembered to soak them overnight...(now, to decide which Mexican dish to make with them...)
*"Staff Breakfast" yesterday morning - the opportunity to interact with the wonderful people in this community, and for the reminders of why we are here
*God's work in our lives
*family
*colors
*photos and the beauty they capture
*email

What I want:
*To do some cooking/baking
*wisdom for some decisions we need to make about some car repairs
*to know how to spend my time wisely...how to prioritize things
*to finally make a decision about which wedding photos to order
*to pray more
*to read more

I love words

I love words. Their intricate meanings. How using the right words to describe something paints a picture in someone's mind. I can't paint or draw to save my life, but I love how black text on a white page can paint a picture in my mind just the same.

I recently came across this poem about slang terms of 2010. I am not sharing this with you because of any viewpoints it may or may not support, but only for the language. I thought the author summed up events of 2010 in a rhythmic, rhyming poem that is quite catchy.

Enjoy!

Gratitude Journal #24

A nearby village in the evening - decorated for Christmas and covered in snow!

Our Christmas tree (which is especially exciting since it is the first tree we have had as a couple - so thankful for our first "married" Christmas!)...and please note the giant stocking behind the two normal sized ones...my husband was quick to (jokingly) claim that one, which I gave him much grief about!

What I'm thankful for:
*rest
*a bit more energy
*the relaxed pace of break, and time with Mike
*the time with friends, playing games, eating, etc. over break
*the freedom to go to church and both sing and hear Truth
*my family, for who each one is as an individual
*that our friend Amy was able to come visit over break - yay for catching up in person!
*that we've had more snow than normal so far this winter - I love the white stuff! We've enjoyed a bit of cross country skiing over break. (In the photo below I was imitating the picture on the tiny green sign behind me. I'm not sure whether the image was doing gymnastics on skis or what, since it wasn't a very realistic-looking skier:)
*Our friends, the S. family, are back after being away last semester while P. (the wife) was battling cancer. PTL for healing!


What I want:
*for my energy level to continue increasing
*to love God more
*to be a blessing and encouragement to the people around me
*to better live out the characteristics of love described in 1 Cor. 13 - especially in my relationship with Mike

happy twenty eleven!

So, it literally took me all of 2010 (read: two thousand ten) to realize that the socially accepted way to say the year was twenty ten. I guess that makes sense, since it's a syllable less to say, and therefore less of a mouthful. You know, I probably should have caught on to that months ago - with the Olympics, for example. (Not that I watched much of those.) So that's my goal - to begin saying the year properly: twenty eleven. So, I wish you all a Happy New Year - may twenty eleven be filled with many blessings for you!

I'm not usually big into "resolutions," so to speak, but I do like to use the new year as a chance to reflect back on the past year and all that I learned and the blessings I have to be thankful for. I also like to look at the year ahead - to set some goals, seek God's direction, etc. Life is more of a step by step journey, but I do like to take this opportunity to take a step back and look at the big picture of my life. I'll admit that I haven't take time to do that. We've been enjoying the routine-less-ness of break (school starts again next Tuesday - the 11th), spending time with friends, and celebrating our first anniversary! (Getting married was probably the biggest change of 2010.:) I hope to write a post soon reflecting back over 2010 (twenty ten:), but for now, I'll close by wishing you a happy new year - from our house to yours!