Getting Through

I want to share something that Chris sent to the worship team, and shared with our congregation a few weeks ago. I hope it's refreshing and encouraging, it's a reminder for me to slow down and not be consumed by my circumstances. Hope you're blessed by it.

I just wanted to write and encourage each one of you in your ministry and your personal walk with Christ. Michelle and I were talking last night about this time of year…May through July that is…and how it seems like such a busy time for everyone. With school ending, finals, graduations and graduation party’s, vacations, friends and family visiting us, or us visiting them, Mothers/Fathers Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, weddings, etc. it’s sometimes hard to not get overwhelmed. Last night Michelle said something that really made a lot of sense to me, she said: “It seems like people just try to GET THROUGH this time of year!” I can’t tell you how many time’s I’ve asked people how they’re doing and, after a sigh, they say: “good…….but busy,” or “good…….but tired.”

So why am writing this? It’s not to remind you of everything you need to do in the next 3 months, it’s to remind you to enjoy the next three months. Everything I mentioned above is/can be a good thing (except maybe finals). Every one of those things is an opportunity to be a light and a witness. So I encourage you to enjoy every day that God has given us and don’t try to GET THOUGH these next few months, but Delight in the Lord and in what He is doing and is going to do in these next few months. Don’t get overwhelmed by what’s ahead, but enjoy each day.

Matt 6:34 (NKJV)

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

I also want to encourage you to look at your activities and events that are coming up and ask what busyness can be cut out. Ask yourself what things are necessary and what things are not and cut out what is not. Use this extra time to spend with the Lord, in the word, in prayer, with family, maybe even napping :).

Isaiah 40:31

But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

The World Through Hannah's Eyes

Hannah has learned how to use my camera, here are the results. She even learned how to turn on some of the effects.

Friends

If you want to see some adorable pics of Hannah and her b.f.f. Ali, click here for my friend Amy's website. They are too cute!

Accomplishment

Last week I ran a 5k. To some of you, that probably doesn't seem like that big of a deal. So here's a little background, I am not a runner. I've never liked running, in fact it used to give me bad shin splints. And as new mother I learned very quickly that there's not a lot of exercising options with a baby in tow. I would much rather swim or take a dance or pilates class, all which cost money and require baby-free time. So I resorted to running, knowing that I needed exercise, but always loathing it. Then the Corporate Games came around again. So I got new shoes (no more shin splints!) and decided to run the 5k. The other inspiration for doing the run is my up and coming 30th birthday. I felt like I needed to get in one more accomplishment before that milestone.

I had no other goal than running the entire thing, I knew I wouldn't place for a medal, and ended up finishing 12th in my division. But I did it, I ran the whole thing with a time of 33:10 minutes.

Team LMA

Almost Done!

Easter

Once again Easter was a busy holiday for us. After 4 services at church, we headed out of town to see lots of family. It was a lot of fun and a little tiring.

First, Ali and Hannah got to decorate sugar cookies with sprinkles the week before.

Cheers!

Hannah in her Easter dress. She didn't get to do an egg hunt this year, I just made her stand in the backyard and hold her basket.
Hannah got to see all her cousins on this trip, including new baby Kinley who was born on April 2. I don't have pics of her with Stellan or Preston because I forgot my camera when we went to their house, but the girls had a good time playing dress-up.

Hannah with Jenna, the new big sister.

Photo Shoot with Daddy

The other day Hannah kept asking me to take a picture of her so she could see it on the camera screen. Here's the result.

Life with Hannah

She's got fashion sense...

And a love for baking...

She is a cupcake connoisseur and likes to smell them to be sure they're just right.

She also likes to help with baking cookies

Then the camel has to inspect the cookies before they go in the oven.