Filling Up On Happy (plus a recipe and a book giveaway!)



 

I am fascinated by people who read through recipe books the way I read through design books!  Being in the kitchen is like an art to them, mixing flavors the way a painter mixes colors; swirling pans and sprinkling spices until their masterpiece is just right.  They know things like how to emulsify liquids and oils and the correct way to hold a knife.  I love watching how creating a meal is a labor of love to them.  I wish I had that.  For me, cooking is labor, period.

I do love the eating part, though!  Even more than that, there is something about sharing a meal around a table with loved ones or new acquaintances that just sits right with me.  It's a happy place.

We recently had one such evening.  Scotty and I invited three couples over for dinner.  We decided on an Italian theme and everybody brought a little something.  The eight of us gathered around our table for six, pulling up a folding chair that was too short and a wobbly stool. We had the best time! 

With Bocelli playing in the background, we had Toscana soup (recipe here), salad and homemade ciabatta bread.  Then we took a break from the eating and told stories and talked about current events.  Next was lasagna and garlic zucchini.  We pulled out Catch Phrase and laughed until our cheeks were sore.

And then ...

Sea salt and caramel cheesecake.  Creamy, smooth, heavenly yumminess.  That's all I have to say about that! 

We laughed and talked late into the night.  It was the kind of evening that still lingered with a smile the next day.  We did so much more than just fill empty stomachs that night.  We built friendship and filled ourselves up with happy. 

I am no artist in the kitchen and my home does not look like the beautiful homes from the design books I drool over.  In fact, my bathroom has been in the middle of a ceiling repair for the past few (ahem) ... years.  The carpet needs a cleaning and the couch ... well, let's not go there.  But that night it was a lovely place.  The flaws were hidden by the richness of communion. 

I have just finished reading the book, Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist.  She describes what I am talking about so wonderfully!  Read this book!  And what are you waiting for?  Don't wait for your home to look perfect!  Order pizza, pop open some soda, and invite your people over to enjoy life around the table!  Unless, of course, you're one of those.  In that case, create your culinary masterpiece!   Here's to food and friendship!  Bon appetit!

- Liv

 

 

 

 

This drawing has expired.
This book is too good not to share, so I am going to give away ONE copy!  To enter, email me here and put your email address in the subject line.  Place your entry by Monday, August 12th!  Or, you can order the book here!  



For when you can't find the words



Photo Credit: Mara Borrego

"Sometimes we can’t find the words to pray and we’re so desperate, so frantic, that elaborate prayers and words just fail us.  All I’d had was please and even if I’d not had that, my spirit would have cried out and doesn’t Jesus hear and feel that?  Doesn’t he know how we’re crumbling and tell it to the Father?...You’re frantic, but He’s already working on it and you haven’t even asked, but He‘s heard." - Ruth Povey

Guys, I know I haven't written much lately, but I sure do think of you a lot.  It's quite frustrating to me, actually.  I have started several posts, but the words to finish have been just out of my reach.  I'm  taking it as a que that during this season, I need to soak in words from those who have them to give.  Here is one from today that I wanted to share with you. Click on over to (in)courage to read more from Ruth Povey.

 

 

Love ya, Liv

Five Minute Friday: Present

 

I can smell the French-pressed coffee sitting on the counter.  Scotty's car is backing out of the drive.  The house is still.  The only sounds are the buzzing of my laptap and the c-l-i-c-k-i-n-g of the keys as I type.  With a busy day ahead, I may not have a moment of quiet like this until I crawl into bed tonight.

How to stay present in the busyness?  How does one keep herself from becoming intoxicated in this media-drunk world?  We have become numb to the ear-splitting cacophony of work and whining kids and tv and Twitter and sprinting from one task to another.  We feel the need to fill an empty moment with something productive.  Like a factory run by the unrelenting task master of time, mass-producing a commercially wrapped product of success in the form of  a clean home, beautiful pictures on Facebook, well-behaved, talented kids, a nice body, or ______ (fill in the blank).

How do we hear that still, small voice over the roar of it all?  The voice that offers us peace.  Peace. 

How do we remain present in our own lives?  To hear our loved ones and see their needs?

How do we put down the yoke of the urgent to be present and available for the important?

Somehow, I don't think the answer is more time...

- Liv 



New to Five Minute Friday?   Click here for the details.

Five Minute Friday: Beautiful

How about a little bit of Friday for your Tuesday morning?  I linked up for FMF at www.lisajobaker.com.  If you like to write, why not join the fun?  Set your timer for five minutes and write, using the prompt. No need to edit.  Just write for the love of writing.  Want to see what others wrote?  Click here. 

 

Tired, weathered hand holding a new baby.  Family gathered through tears to celebrate a life lived. Clothing scattered after watching my daughter dance graceful.  The aftermath of Christmas morning.  A kiss to make up after a fight.  Dark skies watering a cracked, thirsty ground, and the cool freshness after.   Dishes piles high after fresh baked yumminess.  The easy laughter of a friendship that has walked the hard times together.  Dirt beneath the nails after planting.   This life, well lived - it's a beautiful mess.      
 

My Favorites List

Psst...

Check out the new 'My Favorites List' tab on the top of my page!  I can't wait to show you the book I'm reading right now!  Here's a hint:  It's about food.  And friendship.  What's not to love?

Tired does not mean defeated

 "It doesn't matter how you feel, just how you trust and how you respond."

A dear friend texted this to me the other morning after I told her that it felt like I was  "just trudging through - one foot in front of the other...dealing with one thing at a time with no motivation to do anything else."

There are some things going on in my life that I wish were different.  I'm not gonna lie.  Some things have been downright hard.  And I am tired. 

Her text went on to remind me that even when it feels like I'm running in the sand, God is in the present moment and He will carry me across the finish line if need be.  I love how she knows me well enough to use a race analogy.

 

Marathons (or 1/2 marathons) are long, hard and exhausting.  It is as much mental as it is physical.  You have to go in knowing that it will be a challenge.  Throughout the course you must constantly remind yourself that you are going to be ok.  Because really.  You think you are going to die.  You have to trust your training.  Drink. Breathe. Repeat.  Fix your eye on a short goal (for me it was the next crack in the sidewalk), then set your sight on the next one.  Your purpose is to just. Cross. The. Finish line.  Even if it means crawling across.  Quitting is not an option (well, I guess it is, but really - who wants to be a quitter?). And you will want to quit many times.  I am so glad that feeling tired or even feeling like quitting did not disqualify me from the race. It didn't even make me weak. Taking a break from the running and slowing to a walk did not mean I was a bad runner - it was absolutely necessary.

 We've heard it so many times, it's a cliché: life is a marathon, not a sprint.  Or as Ann Voskamp says, "Life is not an emergency".  Hurrying takes away from the present.  And the present is where God is. I AM.  Emmanuel - God is with us. Although I have a wonderful life, it is not always going to be easy.  There are going to be challenges.  Isn't that what Jesus told us?  "In this life you will have trouble" (John 16:33).  So when I feel like quitting, I have to remind myself that, "honey, every little thing is going to be okay." (Romans 8:28)

I am so aware that there are many around me who are going through difficult situations.  I can't help but think of the families of the 19 firemen who lost their lives earlier this week.  When the news reminds us daily of just how dark things can be, we have got to cling to what we know - that God is always good and you are always loved.  Do you know this?  I mean, really know it?

So girlfriend, if you're tired - I'm right there with you.  I am not a quitter and neither are you.  Let's remind ourselves that being tired does not mean defeat.  Let's set short goals for ourselves and just do the next thing.  Aren't you glad that feeling tired doesn't disqualify you from the race?  It doesn't even make you weak.  It just means that it's time to slow down.  Drink. Breathe. Repeat.

"...If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink."  (John 7:37)

"I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."  (Philippians 3:14 (NLT))

Becoming Real

Hi, y'all!  Just kidding.  I never say "y'all".  It sounds cute though. 

Things have been kinda crazy around here, so I haven't done much writing, but I wanted to pop in and say "Hey" and also:

 

 

"Why," you ask? 

 

 

First of all, because apparently they let anyone have a blog these days.  It is giving me the opportunity to do something I've always wanted to do: be a writer.  Of course I'm not a real writer.  Just like I'm not a real runner.  But these are things I love and I'm having a whole lot of fun turning into those things.  And how else do you turn into a real anything, except by doing what real writers and runners and artists and dancers and whatever it is you want to become, do?

 

So:



 

 

The other reason I am thankful is because of you.  I think about you and what I want to say to you a lot.  And even though I haven't become real yet, you come back to read what I  have to say.  It's quite puzzling and surprising and wonderful.  Thank you for your encouragement and kind words.  I don't think you realize how much you make me smile. 

 

 

Love, Liv

Father to the Fatherless

Happy Father's day to all those daddies out there!  I hope you are having an amazing day.

However, this one is for those who might be having a tough day.  For those who may not have a dad to celebrate, for whatever reason.  Maybe you just miss him because he is on the other side of the world or across the country.  Maybe your dad has passed away, or you've never met him before.  Maybe your dad was/is not a good father.  To some, the word 'dad' brings up anger, sadness, hurt and disappointment.  Do you ache for the love of a father?  Any story you hear or movie you see about a father's love brings tears to your eyes.  You may become angry at those who complain about their fathers because, at least they have one. You miss having a father because every boy needs a hero and every girl needs her daddy, even if she is grown up.  We know instinctively what a father should be.  All of those things you long for in a Father?  God has placed there.  He has put a longing in our hearts for Himself. 

Did you know that you have a special place in God's heart?  You are not forgotten. 

When my mother and father forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. Psalm 27:10

"...Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine." Isaiah 43:1

I know you know it in your head.  I just wanted to remind you.  Cling to the fact that nothing can separate you from His love (Romans 8:37-39) and let it seep down into your heart until you are wrapped up securely in it. 

Love ya!

- Liv

When It's Time to Bail

I'm over at my friend, Lindsay's blog, Contagious Comfort, sharing about giving ourselves permission to not have to do it all!

Having a kid graduate makes a girl feel old.  I was hit with a happy/sad nostalgia as I gathered pictures of my son for a photo display.  (He's the little guy in the middle - so adorable!)  Almost 18 years of memories all summed up on a piece of card board.  It was only natural for me to wonder if I would do things differently if I could do it over again.  I would never trade in the sticky kisses and pockets full of rocks and stepping on Legos.  I don't take back the sleepless nights or tears; the Band-Aids and teachers conferences or the trips to the emergency room.

But if I could do anything differently it would be this:  I would keep things simple.  Looking back now, I realize how busy we were.  We had something going on every night.  Good things.  Church things.  And work things.  And Super Momma things .  I planned cool birthday parties and fun play dates.  We had calendar time every morning and learned about cumulus and cirrus clouds.  We did crafts and I even homeschooled for a couple of years.  All.  Good.  Things.  

  
 

Click here to read more...

Five Minute Friday: Fall

I'm a few days late, but I am linking up with Lisa-Jo for Five Minute Friday.  By the way, she is on Momastery today.  Check out her post:  For the Dog Days of Motherhood When You Want Your Money Back.  It's perfect! 
 
Anyway, back to FMF.  It happens every week.  Lisa-Jo gives a prompt and we write unedited for five minutes.  There is just one rule when you link up on her page: encourage the writer who linked up before you.  It's just another great reason to love Fridays!
 
GO.



                                                                  

 

This is the hardest thing.  Ever.  Knowing you have to let go and let them fall.

When you have done all you can do to love your children and teach them about Jesus and love them some more and pray for them and teach them more about Jesus.  How is it done?  This letting go? 

I have to fall too.  I have to fall into the loving arms of my Father because this letting go – it’s heart breaking.  I have to let go and trust the One who has said “I will never leave you or forsake you”.   And the One who has promised that there is no where we can go where His Spirit can’t find us.   And really, when we let go and trust, isn’t that where we are allowing them to fall also?  Out of our arms and into the arms of Jesus. 

 

STOP.

Guest Post: Hannah's Cry

Eep!  I've been so excited about this guest post!  Lindsay, from Contagious Comfort, is a sweet southern girl who loves God, her family and music.  She writes about faith and motherhood,  sprinkled with recipes and thrifty shopping tips.  Her posts are filled with encouragement and the challenge to "stay contagious".   - Liv

 

 

1 Samuel 1:11 “And she made a vow, saying, “O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

When I read this passage, I am just struck by the heartache of Hannah.  She hurt so badly for a baby.  She longed so much just to be pregnant.  She was in agony, just pure agony.

But you know what shocks me the most is that Hannah was so willing to give him back to God.  All she wanted was to be a carrier for Samuel, and then she was willing to give him back to God.  1 Samuel 1:19-28 talks about how Hannah breastfed him and got him fully weaned so that she could give him back to Eli.  What a huge sacrifice!  What an unbelievable mom!

To just top it off, after she had dropped him off at the temple, she then prays and exclaims:

“My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high.....”

“There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.”

Do you honestly think you could drop your kid off at a temple, and then go prancing out with such a wonderful heart? She was celebrating and exclaiming the wonderful privilege of being a mother.  I honestly think I would be a screaming, blubbering mess.  I would try to reason with God, try to change His mind.  Maybe see if I could have custody of Samuel on the weekends, etc.  But Hannah was so incredibly obedient.  She promised God that if she could bear a son, she would give Him back.

So this has been on my mind for the last several weeks.  You see, we too raise our children to give them back.  We keep them in our houses for 18-20 years and then we send them on their way.  We place them in God's hands, and hope that everything turns out.  But we have it easier than Hannah, we get to keep them much longer than she did.

So what are we doing with the time we have with them?

I truly want to run this “parenting race” so that at the end I can say as Hannah did  “My heart rejoices in the Lord!”

So here are a few things I am incorporating into my daily life in order to embrace my wonderful gifts, Mercy and Shep and prepare them for the day where they leave my house:

1.                 

I am trying my very best to not talk of them as though they are a nuisance. They are a gift, a wonderful gift, that many women would love to have. I try to let them hear me speaking of their strong points to others. I brag, encourage, brag, encourage on repeat right now.  They need to see me proud of them.

2.                 

I am trying to physically show my children how I pray and read my Bible.  They hear me talk of it, but I want them to see my actually doing it in front of them. I want them to naturally reach for a Bible when they need answers.  I want it to become a part of their daily lives.

3.                 

I speak of the future often with them.  I speak of the huge plans God has for them.  I tell them that they will not always have me around, so they need to know how to love Jesus themselves.  We talk about good and evil; we talk about sin and pain.  I want them to figure out how to call on Jesus without me around.

Do I do this all perfectly?  Absolutely not.  I am just trying with all my heart to get these little guys ready for a big world.  I know that ultimately I will have to throw them back into God's hands just like Hannah did.  I know that I can't control their little lives forever.  But until then, I will hold onto Jesus and my kids as tight as I possibly can, and we will ride this roller coaster of parenting together.

I hope this encourages your heart today.  Don't give up, Sweet Momma!  Let's live in a way that we can freely give our children back to God and know that He is going to take sweet, sweet care of them.

How To Run a Good Race

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. - Hebrews 12:1

5:30  am - The alarm goes off.  I roll over like Beethoven and decide that I am not going for a run this Saturday morning.  It's been a stressful week - I need the sleep.  I doze back into a far away dream about who knows what.  It must have been pleasant, because I couldn't wait to get back.



5:45 am - The alarm chirps shrill again.  I cover my head as murderous thoughts cross my mind.  I'm thinking a hammer and lighter fluid.  I'm gonna clock that clock over the head - it won't know what time it is.  Okay, sorry.  Not awake enough to be funny. Or pun-ee.  Whatever...

Hubby starts to stir.

"You running today?" 

I play dead.  He shakes my lifeless body.

"Honey, it's getting late." 

I feel him kick off the covers as he sits at the edge of the bed.  Silence.  Blessed silence.

... Never mind.  He gets up and shuffles to the bathroom.  I hear the lid go up, the faucet turns on and the toilet flushes.  The other faucet turns on, and he's washing his hands.  Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle.  He shakes me again. 

"Come on, it's gonna get too hot." 



"Fiiine."  Sigh. I throw off the covers and do my own shuffle, shuffle, shuffle to the bathroom.  It's so hard to get moving.  The sun is out.  My head hurts.  Probably dehydrated.   I so don't want to do this, but I really should.  I won't regret it.  All this goes through my head before I reach the toilet.

6:30 am - We park the car behind the Yamaha building and stretch our dull muscles.  It's been two weeks since we last ran.  It's warm, but not hot yet.  We decide to slightly change our route.  It's the same distance, but goes off the main road and in between the golf course and a housing area.  A little more hilly.  Clearly it's still too early and our judgment is cloudy. 

We decide on a slow pace.  Or rather, Scotty decides to stick with me.  It's actually pleasant -  running side by side, Ed Sheeran playing on my ipod.  We look like that athletic couple who bonds over early workouts on Saturday mornings.  Crazy people.  We are that couple.  We're awesome.  Kinda like this:

We get to the final mile that will take us back to the car.  Uphill.  It's hot.  I'm tired.  Really tired.  Not feeling so awesome now.   I remind myself that I've run more difficult courses. 

My legs hurt.  Just put one foot in front of the other, I tell myself.



My lungs are burning.  Deep breaths.  Ignore the side cramp.  I've slowed to a walk-run.  My shoulders are slumped.  I know if I stop now I won't start back up.  

"Almost there."  Scotty says. 

I'm pretty sure there are horns growing out of his head.

I just want to walk the rest of the way. Don't quit.  Just. Fall.  Forward.

We finally round a corner and I see the Circle K that is across from where we are parked.  I'm thinking about the cold water bottle that's waiting for me.  And rest.  I lift my head, square my shoulders and increase my pace.  I am almost finished. 



Sunday:

Rough morning.  Grumpy kids.  Grumpy momma.  I'm pouting over certain situations and wishing things were different.

 "Is this always going to be a struggle?" "   

 "Put one foot in front of the other." 

 "Lord, I'm just so tired." 

 "Deep breaths.  Don't quit."

 "How long will I have to do this?' 

 "You've made it through more difficult situations than this.   Just.  Fall.  Forward."

Sometimes it seems we are running up hill with tired legs and burning lungs.  But at the top of the hill is rest.  And refreshment.  So, I'm lifting my head, squaring my shoulders and turning up the music.  I'm going to finish strong.

 



But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.          - Psalm 3:3

 I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from which comes my help. - Psalm 121:11

Five Minute Friday: Imagine

I love FMF (click here to learn more about it)!  I am especially excited because today is the kid's edition and I've asked my nephew, Josiah, and my niece, Abigail, to be my guests!!  Enjoy!

Imagine:

Imagine if I had a pet shark.  I mean they are kind of carnivores (but it's just because of mistakes, they are going endangered because another animal is endangered and they are just hungry). 

I would feed it everyday. 

But still where would I get a pet shark?  Would I go fishing and catch it?  And where would I find it's cage?  I  would want to get a glass cage.  But imagining could get you anywhere!

 

Josiah is 11 years old.  He is kind and thoughtful.  He was student of the month at his new school AND he came in 5th place for all of 5th grade at the schools 5k run.  Josiah likes books, baseball, teasing his sister and playing with his dog, Benji.

 

Imagine:

I love you.

Imagine if I can come back I will miss my family and friends.

Imagine if I left home, Sierra Vista, I would miss you guys. 

Well that is my imagine.  Miss you.  And don't forget to write to me!

 

Abigail is 9 years old and full of laughter and silliness!  She came in 1ST PLACE of all the girls in 4th grade at her new school's 5k run.  She dreams of becoming a ballerina, likes hanging around with her friends and teasing her brother.

 

 

I'm so proud of these two!  Would you do me a favor?  Would you take a teeny, tiny second to leave Josiah and Abigail a comment in the comment box below?  They would love it!  You're the best!

 

- Liv



We Will Return After These Messages:



This week has been chaotic and emotional and exhausting and very discouraging.  I've not done any writing, but I have been reading a lot.  Sometimes a rest from thinking is in order.  I feel like God has so enveloped me in encouragement through the posts I've read this week and I wanted to share them with you, because I like you so much and maybe you could use the encouragement too!

Graduation week: 

 
25 Things Every ... Parent and Their Grad Needs to Know

 

When Things Don't Turn Out the Way You Planned:

When Strong Mamas Feel Quite Weak  - Oh my gosh, guys!  This one was SPECIFICALLY for me!  "...you have messed with the wrong momma"!  This post changes everything! 

Here, Sarah Markley talks about how "None of this, that we do, guarantees a faith-filled child.".  It follows the post above perfectly.

This prayer for strength and courage to do what God has called us to do in this season of our lives is very timely.  "...Give her the strength and courage to move forward, even when it looks a little bit dark around the corner..."

      In other news:     

 

 This is so scary about smartphone pictures!  Every momma should watch this!

A good reminder: The Important Thing About Yelling - I've done some of that this week!  

Need a laugh in the middle of the crazy?

 

Conversations with my Toddler

 

It's Not About the Nail

And some deeper thinking:



What if I'm tired of pretending like the Bible wasn’t boring and prayer didn’t feel pointless.

Praying for revival?  A Personal Revival:  "...A few weeks ago, I told my friends that I hated the Church. Christians were pissing me off left and right and I felt pulled into every controversy there ever was and I was tired..."

 

 

I'm praying for you lovely ladies!

 

 

- Liv

Five Minute Friday: View

I'm linking up with Lisa Jo for FMF, where we set our timers for five minutes and write, unedited.  Ready...GO:

 

 



We sat in the bleachers as they began to file onto the football field.  It was hard to find him in the stream of blue.  They all looked the same, our kids, whom we were about to officially recognize as adults and release into the world.  My eyes scanned the field and then…there he was.  He was in front of the girl with the bright coral high heels.  Although he was far away and I couldn’t really see his face, I knew it was him by his stride.  It’s something a mom knows.  I saw the slight limp he carries from his back surgery six months ago.  I knew it was him by his stature.  So tall.  So handsome.   I see the happy baby with the big smile and the little boy with determination and hilarious sense of humor and the teenager who just can’t wait to start life and have adventures.  I SEE MY SON.  My heart is a mixture of emotions.  Overwhelming love and  pride. Happiness.  Sadness. Anitcipation.  Fear.  Is he ready?  Lord, please guide his steps.  Let him seek You.   No matter where he goes, what he does I will always find him.  I will always SEE my son.

 

STOP.

 

 

- Liv

Put Your Big Girl Panties On...

 



There are days when you have to face things you'd rather avoid.  And times when you have to dole out discipline and consequences, and it's hard.  Sometimes you have to admit that you have no idea what you are doing and you are hoping that you are not completely screwing everything up. You feel that you cannot change another diaper or break up another argument or deal another day with a teenager who just gets out of the car and ignores you when you say "Goodbye, I love you".  And you're just so worried that things are not going to turn out the way you hope they will.



 

Yesterday was one of those days. You've had 'em too, right?  Sometimes a girl is just too tired to look for her big girl panties, although you know that you must take just one moment, one catastrophe at a time. You know that God is in control. You know you should trust and be thankful in all circumstances rather than allow stress to pull you under. At the moment it feels like Too. Much. Work.

I'm with you, momma.  When we signed up for this gig we thought it was gonna be all snuggles and kissing boo-boos and we would magically know all the answers.

 

So what's a weary mom to do?

 

This is what was waiting for me in my devotional this morning (Yes,  from the book - One Thousand Gifts Devotional  by Ann Voskamp):

 

"Anxiety is my natural posture.  The way I curl my toes up, tight retreat.  How I angle my jaw, braced, chisel the brow with the lines of distrust.  How I don't fold my hands in prayer, how I weld them into tight fists of control. ... How I refuse to relinquish worry, like a babe a mother won't forsake, an identity."

I'm not the only one who's had those kind of days.  It's as if she was drawing a caricature of me:

Not a pretty picture. Scotty sketched this on the table at the Macaroni Grill.

How am I supposed to take this?!

"An untroubled heart relaxes, trusts, leans assured into His ever-dependable arms.  Trust is the antithesis of stress.  But how to learn to trust like that?  Can trust be conjured up simply by sheer will, on command? ... If I believe, then I must let go and trust.  Belief in God has to be more than mental assent, more than a cliched exercise in cognition.  What is saving belief if it isn't the radical dare to wholly trust?"

Don't I know it?  It's exactly what I would tell somebody else if they were having a hard day.  She continues:

"Sometimes, too often, I don't want to muster the energy.  Stess and anxiety seem easier.  Easier to let a mind run wild with worry than to exercise discipline.  ... Are stress and worry evidences of a soul too lazy, too undisciplined, to keep gaze fixed on God? ... I don't like to ask these questions. ... Stress brings no joy.  Isn't joy worth the effort to trust?"

Ann Voskamp has gotten into my head and told all of my secrets!

So, tomorrow let's just show up.  It's a new day with no mistakes in it yet. Another opportunity to get it right.  Let's choose to trust and look for God's signature in the middle of the mess.  Choose joy.  And although we like to have the illusion of control - who really can control anything in this crazy life?  What else can we do but trust and believe that God is always good and that He's got this.  So if you gotta cry, cry.  And if you need to hide out in the closet for a few minutes, go for it - may I suggest a box of chocolates with that?  And one more thing - let's encourage and pray for the other mommas who are in the trenches.  We all have a hard time finding our big girl panties sometimes.

 

 

- Liv

 

 

P.S. Here's the sketch I made of Scotty.  Obviously he doesn't stress out the way I do!

 



Saturday Links

 

We've made it to the weekend!  Enjoy and:

 



 

A few links from this week:

 

 

10 Ways to be a Happier Mom (Ann Voskamp)

 

This will make you smile!  Evian babies - 1:17 minute video

 

Amazing photos!

 

The 2nd part to When I Called God a Cheat and Ran Off With a Married Man:

 Living a Life on the Run 

 

Arizona runners: early registration for the Bisbee 1000 ends May 31!

 

 

Five Minute Friday: Song

It's Friday - my favorite day!  Time to link up with Lisa Jo Baker for FMF!  Set the timer for five minutes and GO!

 

 

It's a peaceful morning.  I've watered the flowers and had my coffee.  Email has been checked, I have caught up on Facebook and the check book has been balanced.  And as always - the soundtrack to my life is playing on Pandora. 

 

Right now Love in L.A. by Ernie Halter is playing:

 

Maybe I'll be giving up in Love in LA
Nobody came my way and I'd have a say
giving up on love in this town
Nobody cool around
Wish I could say I found
Love in LA

Music is the backdrop to my life. It would be drab without it!  I often awake with a song in my head.  I know all is well in the world when my daughter is singing.  Where there is silence I feel the need to fill it with music ... and singing.  Loudly.  And badly. 

Sunday Morning by Maroon 5 carries me on to the rest of the day.  It's going to be a lovely one!

STOP.

 



 



And the Winner Is:

 

 

 

The winner of the One Thousand Gifts Devotional is Jean M.! 

 Congratulations!!  Thanks for entering! 

 

 

 

Thought for the day:

 



 

 

 

 

 

- Liv

Poor, Unfortunate Hepzibah Jenkins

"... But they shouldn't call that lovely place the Avenue.  There is no meaning in a name like that ... Other people may call [it] the Avenue, but I shall always call it the White Way of Delight." - L.M. Montgomary, Anne of Green Gables

Who doesn't love Anne of Green Gables? Her imagination and joy for life is a winsome combination.

In the book, Anne insists that if Marilla (her adoptive mother) would not call her Cordelia, that her name must be spelled with an 'e', because that spelling is "so much more distinguished".   To Anne, the neighbor's pond was the Lake of Shining Waters.  She secretly called Hepzibah Jenkins, a girl who lived in the orphanage with her, Rosalia Devere.  Poor, unfortunate Hepzibah.  In Anne's opinion, Hepzibah was an unlovely name and she wasn't having it. Anne knew that naming offers the gift of recognition; that it acknowledges one's worth.

“I read in a book once that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but I've never been able to believe it. I don't believe a rose WOULD be as nice if it was called a thistle or a skunk cabbage.” - Anne with an 'e'

I am sure most of us can remember the childhood names we have been called.  Miss Slow Ball, by a classmate in P.E.  Gordita, by a lady who didn't know I understood the spanish word for "chubby".  Imagine what that did to my 12 year old identity!  I was called cheater by a teacher when I was the only one who got all of the comprehension questions correct in my reading group.  Just when I thought I would be praised for being an excellent reader, I was accused of cheating because the answer sheet was facing my direction.  I could not convince Mrs. Warren that I did not copy the anwers.  

However, none of those names are as awful as the ones I have called myself.  Stupid.  Awkward.  Failure.  Inadequate.  In all truthfulness I have been each of those things at one time or another, but I have lived as if those names were my identity.  I have behaved as if I were unloved.

                          

When we give our lives to Christ, we are adopted into His family.  So why do we treat ourselves as if we are a burdensome, unwanted stepchild?  Used up.  Unloveable.  Mistake.  Unforgivable.  Ugly.  Only your Father has the right to tell you who you are. HE HAS GIVEN YOU A NEW NAME.  It is inscribed in the palm of His hand.  It reads Wanted.  Beloved.  Fogiven.  Clean.  Beautiful.  Lovely. MINE.  God has given you the gift of recognition.  He identifies your worth. Would you live differently if you began to answer to your real name?  Beloved.  Redeemed.  Hephzibah. ... ??

Hephzibah: (Hebrew) My delight is in her.

His delight is in me?  Doesn't He know who I am?  I mess up all the time.  As I have said before, I am inadequate.  I am inconsistent.  I have such a long way to go.

I think of my nephew.  I am smiling now as I imagine him running, chubby brown legs, swinging just one arm.  He smiles with those adorable dimples.  Delightful.  He loves boxing.  If you take a "swing" at him he will dramatically fall to the ground.  He loves his Spider Man t-shirt and he sleeps with his toy Iron Man.  He is fascinated with Uncle Scott's running shoes (they are pretty cool!).

But...

He is not potty trained yet.  He runs away when you call him and cries to get what he wants.  Sometimes he takes toys away from the other kids and he can't tie his shoes.  Should we kick him out of the family?  That would be absurd!  Even if he behaved perfectly, I couldn't possibly love him more than I already do. HE DOESN'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING TO EARN MY LOVE OR APPROVAL.  I was in love with him even before he was born.  He is the delight of our family. 

This is how God feels about you and me!  YOU ARE NOT A DISAPPOINTMENT.  Your Father is delighted in you!  He couldn't possibly love you more than He already does.  He is in love with you, even if you have a lot to learn.

"...and you will be called by a new name ... you will be called Hephzibah ... for the LORD will take delight in you"  -Isaiah 62:4

Maybe Hepzibah Jenkins was not so unfortunate after all. 



- Liv



This drawing has expired.
Today is the last day to enter the book give away!

These sixty devotions by Ann Voskamp include a scripture, a prayer, a space to write your own thoughts and a portion to record the everyday graces you find in the middle of ... well, this crazy life!

To enter the giveaway, email me here, with your name in the subject line.  
The winner will be  announced tomorrow, May 16 - 7:30 am, MST.
You can learn more about Ann Voskamp at www.aholyexperience.com.