Peppermint Mocha yumminess.

…perfect night for a cup o’ tea!

…and for sitting around the table with the family over yummy Chicken Corn Chowder and random topics.

…and for talking on the phone to the person who sent me a box with these happy socks!!

…and for thanking God again for keeping this best friend safe & sound on Sunday morning!

(Photos credit to Lyz)

The perfect night for counting my blessings, and for feeling grateful for making it home safely on the nasty snowy roads (great prayer times in the car “Oh Lord please help me make it up this hill” x10 for every hill) … and smiling at these flowers while looking up Ireland weather…

…and remembering this:

The last while I’ve been thinking sort’ve along these lines. My train of thought goes a little like this: How would Jesus live if He was walking on the earth today? How exactly would he respond to this situation and how would he treat that person and exactly how would His life look different from the way I live mine?

Mom had the Bible open to 1 John this morning, and these verses caught my attention when I sat down to eat lunch:

“Whoever says “I know Him” but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps His word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in Him: whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.” -I John 2: 4-6 (emphasis added)

Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners and when questioned about this, He said: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12-13)

How exactly did Jesus walk?

Does this mean Jesus would’ve frequented places where there were sinners abundant, like bars?

How would He treat people who were not living righteous lives? Gays, scoffers, child molesters, murderers, unbelievers in general… What about those who believe religious lies and are deceived?

How would Jesus love the children at Good News Club?

How would He help the homeless guy sitting in the local coffee shop with only his cup of coffee, headphones, and tattered notebook for company? Would He look at him strangely when he started rocking back & forth and singing loudly?

How would he treat the wild Amish down at the gas station on Saturday nights?

I could go on for a long time with scenarios and questions… but what it really comes down to is this: Jesus lived a radical life. And honestly, I don’t think His life looked anything like the safe little boxes we put ourselves into. So in that perspective, what should our lives look like? Of course, we’re not Jesus, but if we’re believers, we are called to walk the path He walked and live like He would live.

Scary as that may be.

(I’m talking to myself just as much as anyone)

This doesn’t necessarily mean that I’m going to walk into The Beer Bucket in town and try to start evangelizing the bartenders. (Don’t think that would be the smartest idea for little Mennonite female me ) But that doesn’t mean that God does not call some (strong Christian) people to do that very thing. God is not limited in the ways and places He works.

So what will that look like today? I’m not totally 100% sure. It’s not going to be a one-answer-fits-all, I do know that. God has different journeys and stories and callings and lifestyles in mind for every believer. They’re not all going to look the same. The only way to find out truly for yourself is to start walking and keep seeking and studying how Jesus lived.

Jesus loved abundantly. He knew how to speak truth and have compassion at the same time. He confronted hypocrites. (They hated Him) He wasn’t afraid to do His Father’s will, even when it wasn’t popular and when it involved much pain and suffering. He lived a full, abundant life.

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (-Ephesians 5:1-2)

This is true.

Continuing to revel in the little things, notice the God-things that come my way, and delight in now is what I want the flavor of my 2012 to be.

Why just live a plain vanilla ice cream sundae life if there are sprinkles to put on top? (My apologies to all you vanilla ice cream fans)

Slice of life lately:
Friday night youth piling into Jason & Julia’s big van like one big happy family, ice skating (without falling once *shock*) to our heart’s content, and then taking over Subway. Poor Subway workers didn’t quite know what to think about their quiet deserted restaurant being flooded with… us. “You all just came out of nowhere!!” the guy told me. Ha!

*Hilarious phone calls with Willie … oh-so-happy card in the mail from my thick-and-thin friend… texts that make me smile… a thousand fry pies to package made lots more fun with pleasant company… hugs from Rach … messages flying back and forth between here and Elnora, IN.

*Adopted “Grandpa” hugs at work with the remark “We’re never gonna let you leave!!”

*Much quality time with the couch for about two days. You don’t really want to know. Except that, wow, food tastes amazing once you can eat it again. And stomach flu is plain AWFUL.

*Conversations with Isaac: “I like coffee,” he says, while drinking imaginary coffee out of a humungous mug in my room. “Oh!” I say. “What does it taste like?” “It tastes like… SUGAR!” he says emphatically. Heh! “And it tastes num num!!”

*Questions from funny little children: “Is your hair electric?” Uhhh, no. :p

*Hugs from VBS kids while walking down the street in town — “Hey!!! You’re the girl who stands up front and sings!!” Yup. That’s me. (Church people: it was Samantha and her friend!)

*Cracking 8 1/2 dozen eggs and then scrubbing (supposedly non-stick) egg pans for at least half an hour. (No exaggeration) Not sure if we’re having scrambled eggs at Hot Meals ever again. :p

*New Year’s Eve with fun people and sparkling grape juice!

*Running into an acquaintance in the bank in town… she tells me all about her 8-day-old baby, and then before she leaves, she tells the bank teller, “Merry Christmas!!” The teller and I look at each other a little strangely. “She just had a baby. I had mommy brain too!” the teller tells me later.

It’s not always all “sprinkly” and happy. But that’s okay!

Hello, 2012. I’m very glad you’re here.

CHEERS to a brand-new year and new beginnings!

A little flash-back of 2011, via pictures (and some commentary ):

There was lots of this white stuff in January and February.

February prison crusade traveling companions, on our way home. I laugh at how tired and sick we look!
(After never finding our beloved Waffle House -ha!)
So many memories — Barnes & Noble in Tennessee, driving through the mountains, two close friends of mine becoming friends with each other. Then it was to SC — orientation, connecting with fellow sisters in Christ in adorable coffee shops, rooming with Kristin , experiencing life in the prisons, and learning how to relate to and talk with prisoners. Kinda scary at first.

I think I was blessed more than they were.

There was also a very fun cabin weekend where we played screaming games of Dutch Blitz and made blueberry snowman pancakes –
and of course talked and ate and talked some more.

Mairi came for a quick visit in March, before departing for far-away Asia. (I really miss you, friend)

April and May brought spring — and I learned how to plant grapes and find joy and count blessings and enjoy life to the fullest.

June was canoe trips and VBS and strawberries and daisies and SUMMER!

July = more summer — fireflies, family reunions, blackberries, seeing various out-of state friends, flip flops, still learning to find joy… and MUCHO iced coffee.

August = road trip with church sisters and LBS and adventures with cars that wouldn’t start.

And I got to be a part of Paul & Sherrisa’s big day!

September — Good-bye Sips. I started frequenting this church quite often, only it’s the kitchen downstairs that I spend the most time in.

October… God’s grace manifested in huge ways. Good News Club started. Leaves!

November – bridal shower and a crazy whirlwind of happenings that I can’t even remember by now!

December. Naomah’s wedding! Messiah! Christmas!

Kudos if you made it this far!!

Happy 2012!!!

Oh to rest in the arms of the Father — and to stay there.

Joy and Hope for Christmas. I lost my original Joy mug months ago and missed it terribly. Needless to say, I was quite thrilled to discover Jesse had got another one for me (thanks brother!) — and then a little bit later unwrapped the Hope mug! (Dad, you’re the best!)

Hope was the theme of my whole year, in case you haven’t got that by now. That and finding joy — not just when life is happy, but also in times of pain and heartache and tears.

 I wish I could say I have successfully discovered entirely how to do this. I haven’t. I’m weak. There is not much strength to fight and hope. Just when I think there cannot possibly be any more tears left inside of me, I cry more. But I have discovered that God already knows that, and He’s given us a promise specifically for those times:

^“For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

  Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,for those who are called according to his purpose.”

[Romans 8:22-28]

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” -1 Corinthians 12:9a

The Spirit intercedes for us when we are too weak and worn to pray ourselves. He knows our hearts, our intents, our true desires. He knows what we’re trying to say, even when we don’t know ourselves. This is so so comforting!

Thank You Spirit, for interceding.

And I realize this anew — He can best work in us when we are weak, because it is then that we recognize that any strength we have is only from Him. So often it’s easy to think that I have to have it all together and do everything perfectly for Him and never fail… not true. He takes us and leads us and holds us close wherever we are. (Even if we cry on His shoulder every night.) It’s then that He can pour His power into us.

“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in his arms; He will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” -Isaiah 40:11

 Thank You Jesus, Great Shepherd.

“If you want to feel rich, just count all the gifts you have that money can’t buy.”

I like gifts just as much as the next person (especially polka dotted wrapped ones!) but this year I keep thinking about all the gifts that that can’t be bought. Words can’t describe how blessed I am.

My precious Mamacita. Dad hugs and coffee and chats. Siblings to tease and laugh with. Little curly-headed kisses. Two good jobs. Friends that are just amazing (I have a stack of sweet cards from this year a mile high). Dozens of happy memories. More than enough to eat. Much much love. So much grace and forgiveness from my Savior. Hope for tomorrow.

What gifts do YOU have that money can’t buy?

Horrible cough.

Miserableness. Uggggggh! But don’t feel sorry — just send me cough syrup and tissues and chocolate. (Never mind that chocolate makes me cough. But you can pretend you didn’t know that :p) At least my stomach muscles are getting a really good workout. Heh!

Thinking about lots o’ things. Like why is there so much pain and death and sadness this Christmas? Just this week alone there have been so many tragic deaths and accidents in the community. Posted this on facebook last night and I keep thinking about the song I posted with it – The Reason for The World [Matthew West].

This time of the year is supposed to be happy and festive and joyful… yet I keep thinking about those who are crying and grieving and struggling with pain. The Eash family, the young boy who caused the accident, the family of the Amish girl who was shot, the Jerrel Good family, the loss of Rojo’s Grandpa, and all the personal pain lots of people carry inside.
“But just keep your eyes on heaven, and know that you are not alone…
And maybe the reason for the world is to make us long for HOME.”
This song says it much better than I can.

Maybe God is opening my eyes even wider to those around me. Using them to show me a grander broader perspective. Because it is not about me. Even though sometimes I kick and scream and don’t get God at all. This year hasn’t been the easiest ever, but I can still say that I’m blessed and that God is good.

And it’s not about me.

(Maybe if I say it enough times it’ll sink in way down deep)

Because I get stuck. Instead of seeing a situation or a dream as just a small corner of God’s plan, I run away away with it and suddenly I am grasping it so tightly that it’s becoming the whole puzzle. And that is a very very small way to live. If life really were all about me (like I act sometimes), well then what a sad little life that would be. There are so much grander adventures to become a part of!

When I see the passel of little children in nothing but diapers at the house we Christmas caroled at last night… and hear the gasp of sheer delight from the little boy when Ezra gave them the big box of cookies and yummy things — it nails it down even harder. It’s about God. The One Who came, the One who lay in a manger, the One Who is the reason we were caroling.

When I sit across from the friend with the sad eyes over afternoon coffee and shared hot pepper cheese balls — I hear her heart, her pain, her questions — and even though it makes no sense to me either, I still know that it’s not about us. I wish I had answers and understood exactly what in the world God is doing. But He knows. I wish I could make it all better and that there wouldn’t have to be such heart suffering. But ultimately, amidst our stormy whys, He’s there, waiting for us to come running back to Him with our trust.

I wonder — how do we keep the perspective that it’s about God –  all the time?

But maybe the reason for the pain
Is so that we would pray for strength
And maybe the reason for the strength
Is so that we would not lose hope
And maybe the reason for our hope
Is so that we can face the world
And the reason for the world
Is to make us long for home

[Take 4]

::Hope gift for Christmas? I’ll take it, little girl. ::
::Cozy candles::
::Little boys who are highly anticipating Christmas and go around saying, “It’s Christmastime!!!”::

::Silver shoes and turquoise dresses::

::Their wedding day joy::

::These two dear friends::

::Pink bouquets::
::Cute cakes:

::Little boys who don’t understand why they have to take pictures::
::Adorable flower girls::

::Warm hands, after experiencing frozen red stiff ones::

::Food, especially when one is famished::

::Adorable Christmas card pictures from one of my favorite newly married couples *waves at Jason & Rach*::

::Finding the PERFECT card to go with a gift after searching high and low::

::A whole day to lounge around and regroup::

::Fuzzy socks::

::Discovering verses that seem to have been written just for me ::