3 Things I’m Loving Right Now {3} and a Brief Life Update
Actually, 5 things I’m loving right now. Maybe 7. It’s been a long time and I’m loving a lot of things, okay?
But first, an update: I spent all of January, February, March, and April writing The Scoop on Balance Bible Study.
The end.
No, seriously, that took up every ounce of free time I had, plus time I didn’t have. The full manuscript is now safely in the hands of Ana, my trusty editor and friend. I advised her to please refrain from sending the manuscript back to me for edits until June. Because, you guys, May is just a whole thing and I cannot look at that manuscript again until May goes far, far away.
It’s called “balance.”
My oldest daughter is graduating next week. She had her senior prom last week. She has finals today and tomorrow. We have a big graduation party planned for the following week. In other words, there are approximately 10,000 things that could potentially fall through the cracks between now and August when she leaves for college, and we are all an emotional wreck.
Let’s see…what else.
Oh, I’m taking on the leadership of our Women’s Ministry at my church. I’m so excited about this, I could burst into confetti. Truly. In the midst of all the crazy, it’s good to know people still believe in me enough to let me do stuff. I’ve known about it for several weeks, but my Pastor made the official announcement on Mother’s Day when they called me up before the congregation and the elders prayed over me. That was one of the best moments of this year–the elders praying for me. My friend recorded the entire thing and sent it to me. I’m so thankful, because I don’t want to forget anything they said when they prayed. They made me believe I could actually do this and that God would equip me for everything I need.
Then, that same morning, I had the honor of sharing the platform with 3 other outstanding moms as we shared our heart about motherhood. I have spoken several times at my church, but never the actual sermon on a Sunday morning before the entire congregation. (If you want to know what I spoke, I wrote it out as a blog post here.)
On Mother’s Day, knowing they were announcing my new position AND that I had to speak, I woke up with my insides on my outsides. I sent this text to my pastor before church, “I’m vacillating between ‘I was made for this’ and ‘I’m gonna throw up.'”
He responded: “That is a good sign to me that you are right where you need to be! I live there.”
My pastor is the best.
Anyway, pray for me and this new position. As you can imagine, it comes with tremendous responsibility and spiritual opposition. Satan wastes no time attacking us and our families when we step out in faith to further God’s kingdom. It’s no joke. And I’m already in full spiritual warfare, as I write this.
So, with that cheery intro, here are some things I’m loving: (complete with low-quality iPhone photos because it will take too long to take all these pics with my nice camera and download and edit them, and honestly, I really don’t want to wait 2 more months before I blog again because I freaking MISS YOU.)
- Spring! We didn’t have a legitimate winter here in Kentucky, so I wasn’t quite ready for spring. I honestly wanted some snow and some more fires and hot cocoa. But now that spring is here to stay, I’m loving it for so many reasons, not the least of which is my “Spring Home Office.” This is where I will be every morning until next winter.
2. My Top-Loading Washing Machine. This one is long overdue because I’ve had it for several months now. A little back-story: I used to have a front-loader. All the cool kids had one and I thought I needed one too. They looked so pretty in pictures and on all the home-decorating blogs and such. But turns out I don’t care about pretty when I’m doing laundry. Actually, (*whispers*) I hated my front loader! I did. For a person who does approximately 10 loads of laundry per week, I could not handle the bending over to transfer heavy, wet clothes from the washer to the dryer every single time. Additionally, I did not appreciate the fact that I could not add a garment any time I wanted to add a garment (which is every time I do a load of laundry because I always drop a sock–ALWAYS!.) I also didn’t think it cleaned my clothes all that well. AND it grew mold inside it. So, when my front loader went to Washer Heaven, I went old school and replaced it with a top loader. I’m so happy. And so are the dropped socks.
3. John Ortberg’s book, When the Game is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box. This is a book I’ve had since forever, and I read it a decade ago. When I was sourcing my quotes in The Scoop on Balance Bible Study, I picked up this book from the shelf to get the publisher info. That’s when I looked inside and saw all my highlights and underlines. I was like, “Whoa! I must have really liked this book!” So, I re-read the entire thing in a few days and remembered all the reasons I loved it. John Ortberg is the kind of author I hope to be: deep and theologically sound, but also highly entertaining. I can’t recommend this book enough.
Speaking of books, I went to Amazon the other day to pre-order Jen Hatmaker’s new book, and I ended up walking away with these also (plus another book on pre-order):
Yay! Summer reading! I cannot tell you if I officially love these books yet. But I can tell you I love looking at a brand new stack of books.
4. Speaking of books (and reusing my last segue), I had a self-revelation a few weeks ago: I read through maybe 2 books a month, I listen to a few podcasts a day, and I subscribe to maybe 10 blogs. I take in a LOT of information–really good information! I love to learn new things. But I retain very little. That’s sad, don’t you think? I mean, if I’m going to take the time to read and listen and learn, shouldn’t I at least retain something? Yes. Yes, I should. So, I decided to purchase a journal for the sole purpose of recording one take-away from from everything I read and listen to. This forces me to slow down with the information intake. And it also forces me to gather my thoughts and jot down a brief summary. I’m loving this process. Though, I see here, I didn’t actually record just one take-away. I actually took notes on one podcast. Whatevs.
5. Mixed seeds and nuts. So, I’m in the middle of a test group for a new fitness program designed my Chalene Johnson (Beachbody fitness personality.) And part of the eating regimen is consuming large portions of healthy fats. Two of the best sources of healthy fats are nuts and seeds. So, I bought a bunch of my favorite nuts and seeds and mixed them altogether. I keep this bowl on my counter for convenient snacking. Yum.
I hope your May is going as smoothly as May can. Summer is right around the corner, guys. Hang in there! I’m looking so forward to long days, sleeping in, reading on the porch, roasting marshmallows on the fire, taking the kids to the pool…I love the slower pace of summer, don’t you?
Before you go, tell me something you’re loving right now!
Yay on the book!!! Also yay on the ministry position! You will rock it.
And I too HATED my front loader. Hated it!!!!!
I missed you too. Big hugs.
I think front loading washing machines are de rigueur here in the UK. I have a second, top-loading washing machine that lives outside. Right now I’m loving the spring and the warmer weather. And being outside when I can. Drying the laundry on the line so it’s all crisp and fresh. Lovely
Oh my goodness, I have to leave for work in 10 minutes but couldn’t wait to respond. You are going to be AMAZING at women’s ministry!! I wish i went to your church. I would totally bake for your events 🙂 I am at a time/season in life where I don’t get too involved in women’s events because, well…teens and tweens. I volunteer in the nursery to get my baby fix, and we just finished a two year run of hosting the high school youth group. When I can, I cook a small bit for our homeless meal ministry. My cup runneth over – but I’m thinking empty nest years will be time for a change up.
I agree, top loader washers only. My only beef with my newer one is that it locks me out, and I have to unlock to load. Unfair, and ain’t nobody got time for that.
I can’t wait to read more books this summer. That Bunhi? Laditan one looks so funny. She is truly hilarious.
We are in the throes of junior year, plus 8th grade graduation, and the end of 5th grade which means for the first time in 13 years, I will have no one to drop off for first day teacher pictures come this fall. My eyelids runneth over……
As far as what I’m loving? Only 2 more weeks of school and some time off here and there this summer. I’m glad the kids get a break – I feel everyone should get to have a reset/regroup when possible.
– Ready for summer weather. It is 46 and windy here today. I am done. I hear you about the hot chocolate, but I just can barely tolerate winter anymore. I dread to see myself in 10 years if I am struggling this much now.
– Loving the outside working out weather (today excluded)
We are surviving May as well. Best wishes to you and your family over your next few weeks. Such a wonderful and bittersweet time with graduation and all the college things. This will be me in a year! Blessings, sweet Sandy!!
First of all, big congrats to your daughter on her graduation (a new journey will be begin, right? 🙂 ). Second, I’m glad that now you are the leader of Woman Ministry and I hope you will have more great experiences when you work with other people. Overall, I like they way you share about your daily life just in short paragraphs. I am looking for your new posts!
Oh my goodness, I have to leave for work in 10 minutes but couldn’t wait to respond. You are going to be AMAZING at women’s ministry!! I like they way you share about your daily life just in short paragraphs. I am looking for your new posts!