Bring It

As I look at the calendar today, I can't help but feel a little sigh of relief that April's calendar page is being folded up, scribbled with the months plans marked out, rearranged and ultimately gone.

We sold our house officially and moved into an apartment. We've settled in and I think are adjusted. The dogs seem to be having trouble dealing with the fact that they have to share their "yard." They've never had to share.

We started serving in the preschool ministry at our church and celebrated Easter with our families. Baseball season started, I ran a mile without stopping and have run more this month than I have since Jacob was born. Jim and I watched seasons one and two of Downton Abbey and are awaiting June's arrival for season three to be available on Amazon Prime.

Our country experiences horrific tragedy in Boston and West. Jacob got to go to Chuck E. Cheese for the first time. We are busy busy planning a wedding for my sister. Jim and Jacob both recovered from a staph infection and I recovered from a sinus infection. Jim has been busy at work and I've been busy working for my Mom. We're still teaching table groups and mentoring students. We're making plans for the summer.

I'm excited for May. Summer is making its way closer. April was busy and hard. May could be too, but I'm meeting it with a 15 month old, a husband who loves me deeply and a God whose plan for my life is far greater than I can imagine! BRING. IT. ON.

photo cred : Versagram app

March is a Fresh Start

I don't remember where I heard it, but in a past conversation, the thought came up that God was a God of fresh starts. In Him we are a NEW creation, the old has gone (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). And that new self? Well, it's constantly being renewed in the image of our Creator (see Colossians 5:10). God is the God of "new." He has structured our time around that fact: Friday was a new month; yesterday (or today, depending on how your brain works) is a new week. Today is a new day. We've been given another shot at it, a fresh start, a clean slate.

March for me is going to be about "fresh." It's s-l-o-w-l-y starting to feel like spring. The days are getting longer. I love this time of year. Jim and I are also going to commit to eating more "fresh" foods (even if they were meals we made from fresh ingredients and froze them for convenience) and less fast food. With the spring-like weather comes a desire to freshen up the house. And, Jacob and I are getting a fresh start into the next chapter of our relationship as he transitions out of always having to have momma around to becoming a boy and not a baby anymore.

It's easy to get weighed down by stuff of life. Today, I'm laying it aside. Some of it needs to be dealt with, some of it let go, some of it bathed in prayer as I search for wisdom in knowing what to do. I am thankful for fresh starts and new mercies, every morning.