Lyrics and Light

I wouldn't say my relationship with my husband is necessarily all that romantic in the most traditional sense of the word.  Don't get me wrong- our love is a fierce kind of strong- but we don't really splurge on expensive gifts or write eloquent love notes and we're not demonstratively lovey-dovey types.  

Nope.

Our off-beat romance takes the form of playlists created after time spent together nodding our heads to tunes and grinning.  So tonight, I'm hunched over the computer trying to create a photo book before my coupon expires to commemorate what became one of the most romantic playlists of all time.  At least to me. 

So here's to you, JC, and your mad playlist-making skillz.  

And here's a small sampling of some of my favorites:

You [truly] swept me away...

A longing fulfilled

It was Rendi's idea.  We gathered at the regional airport today to welcome home a soldier friend of ours.  A soldier friend who otherwise wouldn't have had a big homecoming because he wasn't coming with a big group.

It was her idea that she would hold Asher so that I could take some pictures.
My friend Rendi is full of good ideas.

I can't and probably will never understand exactly how much this kind of service requires.  Both of our friends gave up so much.

And that's partly why this reunion was so beautiful and so profound.

I'm so happy for my friends today and their happy homecoming.

Shoutin' out to Rendi for wielding her organizational gifting for good.  As usual, it blessed so many.

Proverbs 13:12  Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. 

Forever

Kayla, can we order one of your Book of Life cakes???

July 27, 2011- write it down.

Anna Grace wants in on the free gift of salvation!

Baptism to come.

And wouldn't you know that Isaiah 44:5 was in my reading for today?

My sweet girl, may you be like a poplar tree by a flowing stream- strong and full of life.  May you find salvation in the Name of the Lord and may you be transformed by the renewing of your mind.   May you know the promises of God and stand on them always.  May you know the way of love and walk in it.  Forever.  

Finders keepers

”No place is boring, if you’ve had a good night’s sleep and have a pocket full of unexposed film.” 

 – Robert Adams

I may not have an actual pocket full of actual unexposed film, but I'm with him on the sentiment.  Completely.

My little momma

She lost her second tooth yesterday.

She can't wait for school to start.

She wrote a play about mermaids and sharks this morning.

She asked me a million questions today.

And someday, she's gonna be one fantastic momma.

What love.

#sportsarefun and Welcome Heartaches

The stars at night are big and bright (clap, clap, clap, clap), deep in the heart of Texas

Reminds me of the ones I love, (clap, clap, clap, clap) deep in the heart of Texas.

Sports are fun.  Especially with the ones you love.  I'm glad the Texas Rangers played last night so that we had an excuse to get together for a night with my family.  Good #memories for sure!  (And just so you know, I tweet about sports as all of my 11 followers know so well.)

If only Daddoo could have been there.  One Day, right? Until then, Team Dent will plug along in love, remembering him during a fireworks show or a high five or a burger or a ridiculous joke or a night out together.  His memory kind of sneaks up and surprises me sometimes, but I guess that just suits him.  It's a welcome heartache, reminding me of the hope we have in Jesus.  With welcome heartaches comes gratitude for the ones we still have by our sides.  And I'm glad I've got Team Dent to play with until my ninth inning.  

Very grateful indeed.

Fun with segues

It's as much of a shocker to me as it is to those who know how black my thumb is that I have managed to keep flowering plants alive for almost two weeks in the middle of a heat wave.

In Louisiana.  In July.

Apart from my black eyed susan casualties, it really has been quite miraculous.

And speaking of miraculous, AG and I planted pumpkin seeds which are sending amazing little green shoots everywhere.

And speaking of Anna Grace, I miss her terribly. After five days apart, I appreciate her more than ever as I realize what joy and interest she brings to our home.  I've really enjoyed my time with the boys- truly- but I miss my girl, too.

Speaking of joy, reading through Psalms have been a cool breeze to my soul.  And speaking of interest, reading through Proverbs has given me insight on things for which to pray.  A gentle answer, an apt reply, a timely word, diligence- all good things.

Speaking of good things, it's Friday and I'm making a donut run for the boys before I get my workout on.

TGIF, baby!

On not stepping down

I had no idea when I signed up for helping with Vacation Bible School that it would be war.

When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, he encountered a good deal of opposition and discouragement.  Maybe it was war unto his soul. But he didn't waver.  He told his adversaries, "I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down."  (Nehemiah 6:3).

When Monday morning's VBS brought more than its share of challenges,  I realized that I was fighting a good deal of opposition and discouragement in the midst of attempting this great (and by great I mean eternally significant) project of the Lord.  I had to fight back all my petty selfish desires.  I had to fight all the things competing for my attention.  I had to fight being anxious about how I was going to get anything done around the house this week.  I had to fight being tired and being late and losing my keys I had to fight through the lies coming at my heart- that I wasn't good at this and that what I did didn't matter anyway.  I had to fight... a lot of things.

It was war.

My co-VBS leaders and I may not be rebuilding a wall around God's holy city, but we, like Nehemiah, are carrying on a great project and we cannot go down. We cannot go down to discouragement or fatigue or apathy. We cannot waver in showing the love of Jesus to His children, sinking the seeds of His love and truth deep into their souls.

Vacation Bible School may be war, but after seeing our eleven kiddos sign and say profound truth today, I could almost taste the victory.

It may be small and it may not be perfect.  We may still scuffle over wooden dump trucks and have a hard time being still for the story.  Our little crew may not even be able to tell you the truth they learned at VBS by this time next month, but still, it is significant and important and the way of love nonetheless.

Like Nehemiah said, "Our God will fight for us!"  And this week, fight for us He has.  He has seen us through.

We've still got one day left, but I'm calling this one for the Lord.  

A Letter to My Sister

 Dearest Jennifer,

I know you must be wondering how your little one is doing having left Kendrick in my care for these past days, but don't worry.

He and his cousin Zeke have only played in the most quiet and serene ways.  They haven't rough-and-tumbled at all.  No, not these boys...

I haven't let him go crazy in the sprinkler and I certainly haven't let him play in the dirt.

 I don't let him have too much fun.  I just don't.

 And I certainly don't wear him out so much that he comes up to me at 7:15 and tells me he's tired and ready to go to bed.

Nope.  None of those things have happened.

I don't think...

With love,

Candace

Fun Asher tricks

Quiet waters

I'm almost half-way through our 90 day summer reading program.  Kathy and I embarked on this venture last year and I have a couple of other friends who are plugging along on our 12 page a day feat this summer to get through the Bible in 90 days.

I didn't anticipate it being so much harder this year.  You would think that a newborn, three-year-old, and a five-year old would be harder to navigate than this year's one, four, and six-year-olds, but you (or in this case, I) would be wrong.

I've been lagging behind and fighting off feelings of defeat ever since we started. But after the Lord used Kathy's encouraging words to speak straight to my heart, I've rethought the venture and remembered that it's not about getting to the next black tab, plugging through the words just to plug through the words, but it's for knowing Jesus better and loving Him more.  It's for being washed by the Word and having it wash over me, changing me from the inside out.

It's been tough this year.  Really tough.

Nevertheless, it's worth it.  And somehow, when I choose to persevere, the Lord just really shows up.

Psalm 23 popped up in the middle of my day's read today as I watched Anna Grace and Zeke swim.  And there it was- my quiet waters.

Now, quiet waters are NOT how you would describe life at my house.  Not at all.

I cannot emphasize this point enough.  NO QUIET WATERS.

But the Lord was speaking to my heart that if I choose to relinquish my sense of control, He WILL lead me beside still waters.  He WILL restore my soul.

My weary soul.

So I'll keep on keepin' on and if you're on this schedule or another schedule, I encourage you to keep on keepin' on, too.

He'll lead you to those quiet waters.

He's a good, good Shepherd.

Psalm 23:1-6  The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,  3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 

Lake Greeson 2011: Things I learned

 1.  I learned that Kenya's is the hottest place on earth.  But to be more specific, the women's bathroom is the hottest place on earth. I've never actually left a restaurant based on the temperature of the bathroom.  Until now.
(Although, to be fair, the rest of our group thoroughly enjoyed their reasonably if not randomly priced casual dining items, so it may have been us that missed out on the Kenya's experience.)

2.  I learned how to talk in abbreves (translate: abbreviations).  Whateves...

 3.  I learned that SOME people do not, in fact, give high fives. Ever.

 4. I learned that playlist competitions and cannonballs off the top of a party barge are a good combination.

5.  I learned living life together, as a community of believers, can sometimes be difficult to navigate (especially as our number continues to grow and grow), but it is ALWAYS good.  I already knew that, but this annual lake trip is always a good reminder.

I'm thankful for the lessons, the (many) laughs, the friends, the trip, and the community. And I'm praying over the year to come for divine wisdom to guide us in how to love Jesus and each other and the world with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. (And btw, I'm also learning that the best way to go about that is not always clear).

In the meantime, I'll be gettin my abbreves on...

Banner day

 This was the day that Zeke decided to swim in the deep end without clinging onto me for dear life.  And this was the day that Jack read his college football preview magazine to him for his bed time story.  So it begins.

Me and Z

A rare treat these days, Zeke and I had a little time to hang out together- just us- at his all time favorite spot in town- our local children's science museum, Sci Port.  If Anna Grace is an artist, then Zeke is my scientist for sure.  He'd rather tinker than talk and even though he was mostly engrossed in the exhibits, I'm pretty sure it was good for his heart.  And mine, for that matter.

Hooray for snakes and snails and puppy dog tails and all the things that little boys' hearts are made of!

The traditional pose - Part 2

1996.  See what I mean?  Tradition, people.

Who am I?

For three amazing kids, I'm so grateful.

For my best friend and husband, I'm so grateful.

For double chocolate chip cookies and fried catfish, I'm so grateful.

For the ability to run a 5K, I'm so grateful.

For the freedom to worship the Lord and to say whatever is on my mind without fear, I'm so grateful.

For friends who make me laugh and a family who sticks together, I'm so grateful.

For the One who gives it all, I'm so eternally grateful.

After the Lord spoke to King David about the future of his throne, David replied with great gratitude.  He said, "Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?"

It just rings true in my heart.

Who am I?  What is my family that you have brought us this far?

I'm just a broken down struggling little person who makes a lot of mistakes and doesn't measure up.

Who am I that you would even look my way, Lord?

Much less love me?

Much less die for me?

Much less bless me with every good thing?

I am so eternally grateful.

Toddling Towhead

He'll get it one of these days...

And soon, I do believe.