A Lesson in Laughter

"To laugh at yourself is maturity."

- William Arthur Ward

Last weekend Nate and I threw towels, linens, Bibles and thrift store gems into one medium-size suitcase and boarded buses headed to the middle of nowhere. We spent three days in cabins with these rockstars:

Let me tell you a little about these kids. Our church is split into three campuses, of which the Clear Lake campus is the newest, smallest and least-known...kind of like an overlooked stepchild. Surrounded by hordes of shouting teenagers from the other campuses, we felt minuscule and a bit like a proverbial David facing Goliath. Except, in real life David defeated Goliath. Enter Recreation Time. Our motley crew found ourselves face to face with a dozen fully grown boy-men, full of muscle and zest to win. We played them in every. single. game. We were defeated terribly, insultingly. At one point in dodgeball they gave us every ball, and we still got creamed. I, ever a champion of justice, fumed at the outrage of it all. 

And here's where the Clear Lake kids taught me a bit about maturity. They never once complained. They never stopped having fun. When we were trounced and destroyed at every turn, for every single competition all weekend, they somehow found it funny. And they laughed and joked and made memories without a second thought about actually "winning." Clearly, in my book they're all winners - at a game much more important than sports. They lost with grace and good humor, focusing on building relationships rather than being the best. I realized just how competitive I really am, and learned to take things down a notch. After all, who cares about eating a can of Vienna sausages faster than anyone else, or winning the moonwalk competition or human Foosball, when we can look stupid and laugh about it and pray together and have amazing conversations about stuff that really matters?

I love y'all. You taught me a lot last weekend. Thanks for not being afraid to laugh at yourselves, and having a blast even though we were in last place. And Nate, thanks for being the best youth leader on the planet. You modeled a good attitude to these kids even when I couldn't. You inspire me (and you're a ridiculously good-looking 80's throwback).

Seven Years and Fourteen Days of Love

The wind that fills your sails

The hand that lifts your veil

The moon that moves your tides

The sun coming up in your eyes

The wheel that never rusts

The spark that lights you up

All that you been dreaming of and more, 

So much more

I want to be your everything

- Keith Urban

I will never forget the evening of February 14, 2006. Youth group was meeting at my house, and I scurried around like any 17-year-old giddy at the thought of spending the evening with 20 of my best friends. I mingled and hugged and answered the door dozens of times, stopping short when I opened the door to a quartet of unfamiliar faces. A Southern man, his shy daughter, and two handsome sons stood beaming in the doorway. They were new, from Charlottesville, and had been assigned to our small group. They introduced themselves amid a flurry of impeccable manners, practically bowing as we all shook hands. I was instantly smitten with them. Daniel laughed and teased and played ping pong with reckless abandon. Catherine's beautiful eyes sparkled as she talked about her love of writing - a woman after my own heart. And Nathan...well, he adored country music, my latest passion. I talked to him about Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban, and his face lit up like the 4th of July.

Soon we gathered for group, and I tried not to think about the plaid-and-jeans country boy sitting right behind me. In keeping with the holiday, our leader talked about Christ-centered relationships. "When Jesus is the center of your universe, everything else will fall into its proper place around Him." That little talk re-grounded me countless times through seven years of romance with that country boy. What began as an innocent teenage friendship - having everything in common, long walks talking on the phone, emails and texts and MySpace comments, debates and homework and bus ride drama and love triangles - turned the corner when he talked to my dad the night I graduated high school. Three years of long-distance dating became a year of engagement and planning for the future, culminating in the wedding of my dreams and a road trip down south to a new life where we had no one but each other. We danced at our wedding to Keith Urban's "I Want to Be Your Everything" - a song on the country mix CD he made me just weeks after we met (he's never been one to beat around the bush).

Now it is 2013, and we celebrated our 7th Valentine's Day together. This day is extra-special to me, not only because it's the day we met, but because gifts are my love language. Christmas and my birthday are the best days of the year. I obsess over holidays - especially the romantic ones. But this year, my poor boy has been up to his ears in work and projects for the past few months. Instead of letting the holiday slip by in danger of being forgotten, I decided to go all out for him. Who says gifts and romance have to be a guy's world, anyway?

Introducing: The 14 Days of Love

Strawberry Nutella French Toast

Starting February 1, I gave Nate little gifts and notes leading up to Valentine's Day. Most were painfully cheesy...but it's the thought (and the food) that counts. 

14 Days of Love gifts & notes

Some days he needed a little help finding his gifts...

I mailed a love letter to his office (surprise, babe!). Mail apparently gets lost in the labyrinth of Corporate Exxon. When it arrives, I hope his boss makes him open it in public.

I bought a fancy picnic basket with all the works, a waterproof blanket, and the fixings for a picnic fit for royalty. I designed a treasure hunt leading him from work to a secluded, romantic location where I and our picnic awaited him. Then, the weather turned wretched. And the picnic had to be moved indoors. The clues led him on a wild treasure hunt to...our house. He was mightily confused, but it was oh-so-romantic (100 tea lights helped a little). 

Living Room Valentine's Picnic

My new favorite thing on earth.

I framed his favorite picture of our Hawaii trip and made a date jar full of wild and funky ideas for 2013. And he presented me with a darling heart-shaped birthstone pendant. This love, folks...it just keeps on getting stronger. 

I love you, Nate...

May 2006 - our first picture together.

Kenny Chesney concert - 2007

2008 Photoshoot

June 26, 2009. Engaged!!

Wedding Day, June 20, 2010

One-year Anniversary, 2011

Hawaii, 2012

7th Valentine's Day, 2013

...and I will love you for the rest of my life. You are God's best gift to me!

Giving Thanks

The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!

- Henry Beecher Ward

It's sad to me that the one day set aside specifically for giving thanks often means a drastic shift in perspective. I so easily drift into complaining and discouragement the other 364 days of the year, focusing on what I don't have and what circumstances I wish were different. The truth is, there are countless blessings in my life that I simply take for granted: from the very air I breathe to being married to an astounding man sovereignly hand-picked for me. This season, instead of feverishly chasing Black Friday deals and making lists of the things I want, my goal is to step back and ponder with deep gratefulness all that God has done for me. Here are 30 reasons that I am giving thanks this holiday:

1. I am thankful for a job that makes my dreams come true every day; for the chance to interact and share the love of Jesus with hurting people who otherwise might never have a chance to meet Him.

2. I am thankful for godly coworkers who believe in the power of prayer and set a true example of love and compassion.

3. I am thankful for a beautiful car that makes my daily commute so enjoyable.

4. I am thankful for a lovely apartment that is filled with laughter, games and deep conversation several times a week.

5. I am thankful for food, new recipes, a big kitchen to cook in and a long-suffering husband who eats everything I put in front of him. Most of the time.

6. I am thankful for good health, exercise and energy.

7. I am thankful for my wonderful, cuddly kitty who's loved me unconditionally for 11 years.

8. I am thankful that my husband has put up with said kitty and even makes occasional efforts to befriend her.

9. I am thankful for books and words, and the unlimited opportunity to learn from the greatest minds in history.

10. I am thankful for friendships that continue to grow regardless of time and distance; for the dear ones at home who intentionally involve me in their lives.

11. I am thankful for a vibrant, growing youth group full of kids who open their hearts and lives to us, and for all the memories we've made over this past year.

12. I am thankful for our small group, the way we spur each other on in godliness, the deep friendships that are forming and that we can spend Thanksgiving together.

13. I am thankful for a church that preaches the gospel unashamedly and that has welcomed us with such open arms.

14. I am thankful for my dear Texas friends who make this home-away-from-home business so much easier; for the long talks, movie nights, sleepovers, baking escapades, travel and countless memories.

15. I am thankful for the most loving parents-in-law on earth and for their faithful prayers and support.

16. I am thankful for three incredible siblings-in-law. They are such a joy and some of my dearest friends.

17. I am thankful for my littlest sister, Sue, and that we got to spend a whole week together in September. I am thankful for her humor, creativity, passion for God and the highly entertaining letters she sends.

18. I am thankful for my mini-me, MaryLynn. I am so inspired by her maturity, intellect, faith and prayer life.

19. I am thankful for my brother Sam, and for what a fighter he is. He has remained steadfast and faithful in the midst of many trials, and embodies the truth that God is good, all the time.

20. I am thankful for Jared, my prayer-warrior brother. He has a real anointing on his life and I am so refreshed and filled with faith every time we talk and pray together.

21. I am thankful for Christene, my hero and best friend. She is one of the most Christlike people I know, and makes me love Him more. She embodies Psalm 37, and over the years I have watched her delight fully and completely in the Lord. I am thankful that God gave her the desire of her heart this week!

22. I am thankful for the perfect parents for me: a strong, hardworking and committed dad, and a mom who gives everything she has to care for and encourage her kids, and follow her husband. I am beyond-blessed by them.

23. I am thankful for the heritage of faith passed down from my grandparents, and how their continual prayers work powerful change in my life.

24. I am thankful that Jesus is King, and that nothing happens outside of His reign.

25. I am thankful for a country where we are free to worship, believe and preach the truth of the gospel.

26. I am thankful for Jhaneth and Fernando, our Compassion children, and for how they daily teach me gratefulness.

27. I am thankful for the time and the means to travel; for the myriad of photos and priceless experiences collected with my better half.

28. I am thankful for every single hardship and heartbreak that God has brought me through. I am thankful that He has been with me all the time; that He sustains me and without fail gives me the opportunity to use what I've learned to help someone else in similar circumstances.

29. I am thankful that almost 7 years ago a country boy wearing plaid and blue jeans walked in my front door and changed my life forever. Our selves are so intertwined that I honestly cannot imagine myself without him. These 2+ years of marriage to Nathan have truly been a taste of heaven, and I love and respect him more every day.

30. I am thankful that I have everything I need in Christ. When all else is stripped away, He is always there, and He is enough. The spiritual blessings I have been given in Him far outweigh the temporal things on this list. I am filled to overflowing with His goodness to me. May I never stop giving thanks!

I will bless the Lord at all times;

his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul makes its boast in the Lord;

let the humble hear and be glad.

Oh, magnify the Lord with me,

and let us exalt his name together!

I sought the Lord, and he answered me

and delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant,

and their faces shall never be ashamed.

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him

and saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the Lord encamps

around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!

Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,

for those who fear him have no lack!

The young lions suffer want and hunger;

but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

~ Psalm 34:1-10