Pausing in the Busy

Life is just busy. But despite that, it's always a blessing when you can pause for a second and reflect on everything that is constantly buzzing around. For me, when I take that pause - like right now - I realize how silly getting stressed is and how blessed I really am.

Tonight my in-laws are taking the hubby and I out to dinner to celebrate our 2nd anniversary and Nick's 24th birthday. What a fun night it shall be! A relaxing night of good food and great company. (Hopefully my Nicky-poo won't be too tired or sunburnt after a long day of beach baptism facilitating.) I lucked out with the best in-laws a girl could ask for. I love them so dearly.

This coming week I get to go hang out with my Jr. High kiddos for a few days! There will be wonderful worship, amazing teachings, and energetic kids overloading on sugar. And of course just a few minutes of sleep. The kids make every Calvary Chapel summer camp a memorable adventure and I'm so excited to see what God will be teaching all of us. This summer, my wonderful hubby gets the honor of teaching one of the workshops up there. So cool! I'm so thankful that I get to help out with these camps, even though I have to leave a day early this time to get back to work. It will definitely all be worth driving down the mountain alone Tuesday morning. God is so cool.

Unfortunately, in this busy little week there is also a memorial. My grandfather passed away a little while ago. It's a little bit odd for me since I haven't seen him in years, but I remember some really good times. When I was little, we used to call him the "grandpa with the mole" because he has a large mole on his forehead. Now that I think about it, it sounds so rude. But back then, it was kind of like a funny little nickname that we all laughed about. Hopefully, a lot of my family will be at the memorial so good memories will get passed around.

Throughout the week, there will be a million errands to run and preparations to make. But at the end, a flurry of packing and final stomach butterflies will ensue as the hubby and I get ready to take off on a grand adventure!! Yippee for being blissfully busy!! (And I mean that most sincerely.)

Genuine Love: The Anniversary Poem

Two years. Two lives. One cord jointly lacing.

Seaming together one constant love from simple souls,

Tenderly the needle of devotion threads strong.

We are the pieces of a well-crafted puzzle

Designed and fit to a seamless, locking match.

Deeper than any and truer than all,

Yours is the heart of a genuine love.

Sweetly, honestly, and with no unkind desire

That heart pursues valor and spurs me to virtue.

Grateful. Inspired. You tame the wild in me

And stronger, wiser, encourage me to be.

When life greets us each morning with a kiss & butterfly,

We will dance in the joy that’s been given.

And when angry rolls those thunderheads of trouble,

Our thrice-entwined love stands a pillar.

With awed, honored traces of tears in my eyes,

My heart bursts forth unrestrained.

“How is it that I, undeserving of such,

Am blessed by a God so divine?”

My heart. My love. My undeservéd gift.

-K.B.

And here is the comical, writer's block version for those interested to see the poem before it became a real poem: 

With every fiber of my being, I sat down to write a verse.
I wanted to explain my heart with eloquented words.
But as I went to write, all ideas in my head,
I bumped and bumbled scribbily and couldn’t make them bend.
Tenderly, I wanted to describe to you this needle of devotion
That over these two lovely years has sewn us with one motion.
To our two hearts I’d compare two reams of fabric that
Through that blessed needle have become one single flat.
Two puzzle pieces also were two symbols that I loved.
They fit together perfectly, designed by God above.
I wanted just to compliment your genuine, sweet heart
That keeps me from my crazy and deals with my brain farts. 
But as I said, I went to write and words fought me away.
They must have known that you, my love, don’t need a lavish say.
So simple, sweet, adoring words are what I bring today
In the form of this your anniversary card - hurray!

The Battle in the Radio

Sweet sounds of worship music playing in my head.

Up the hill I go.

Slowly, static buzzes. Louder, louder.

Wordless, angry notes start to battle through the static.

At the top of the hill, they begin to take over.

All worship is drowned out. 

Angry static boasts too soon.

Down the hill I go. 

Pieces of praise try to sound through.

Sudden. Loud. Victorious. I hear His Name praised.

The anger and the static die a silent death.

Even in the radio, He reigns. 

Don't Be Like Mr. Nezzar

I'm learning from Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar:

Daniel prayed constantly and consistently.
Daniel was faithful.
Daniel was bold and humble.
Daniel knew God would be faithful.
Daniel trusted God with everything.

Let's be like Daniel!

Mr. Nezzar was a pagan king.
Mr. Nezzar praised God when he saw God do cool things.
Mr. Nezzar made decrees to honor God.
Mr. Nezzar apparently forgot his decrees.
Mr. Nezzar made stupid idols when he knew who the real God was.
Mr. Nezzar saw God do amazing things and praised Him again.
Mr. Nezzar became prideful of his empire.
Mr. Nezzar ate grass like a cow.
Mr. Nezzar praised God and eventually realized His greatness.

Let's not be like Mr. Nezzar.

I am more like Nebuchadnezzar than I thought. At first glance I thought, "Whoa, this guy is really stupid! How many times does God have to show him His greatness before it gets through his thick skull??" ...But then I stopped. How many times have I done these things?? Sure, I'm not a king and I'm not ruling an empire and I don't build gigantic, gaudy idols, but I can create my own stupid idols in my heart - and I do so more often than I want to admit. So, in looking at this guy, I realize my own shortcomings and a little change in me has sparked. I don't want to make God break me down and throw me into the field like a cow. I want to learn the first time. I know I won't always, but a stronger desire to obey Him has arisen because of Mr. Nezzar and I'm aiming to listen a lot harder and longer when God speaks. This past week has been a real growing week. 

"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works [are] truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down." - Daniel 4:37

Brand New Love

Two very close friends of mine got engaged to each other today.

I am simply thrilled for them!!

The best part about it is that God is alllll over that relationship. You can just see it. It's the most beautiful thing ever. God is amazing. 

Congratulation, Christian & Sierra!! I love you both so much!!

Morning Glory

5:30 am is not my favorite time. 

Lick, smack, lick, smack, lick, smack, lick, smack, lick, smack, lick...

This is Howie code for, "I'm gonna pop!" After this, comes the heaving and the scramble to get him out the front door before he detonates.

(I know, you reeeeally wanted to know that; but at least I'm not describing it in gross detail...)

Despite the fact that the roosters hadn't crowed yet, I didn't mind taking care of the lovely pup upchuck. He didn't just stand there and do his thing, he tip-toed heaving towards the door and looked back at me with those pleading eyes to make sure I was coming to open it. He knows! Upchuck goes out the door, not on the floor. 

And not only that, he walked off the patio and out to the dirt. Ha! My dog is a genius. 

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So, at 5:50am, I gave my good boy some love, snuggled him into his fluffy pillow, and crashed back into my own with a smile on my face.

11:15 am Note: He seems to be feeling a lot better now.