FIVE

I like to make lists. Of any kind. And I make my friends do this thing, called "Top Five."
It's basically of their list of their top five things from the day or week.

It's a sweet way to hear what's really on their hearts.

My top five:

1.) My husband cleaning out the bathtub (and the drain) so I can take a bath that actually makes me cleaner. For some reason, our bathtub would not stay clean, no matter how many times I scrubbed it. Clarke cleaned out the drain and discovered a big glob of dirtiness left from the last people who lived in our apartment before us. TMI, I know. Oh, but how great a clean tub is.

2.) Coffee dates with one of best friends. We will drive 40 minutes to get to a starbucks. Sounds a little extravagant. It's our special treat and the only coffee place that stays open late enough for us. The starbucks on fairfield in Fort Wayne is our favorite. We talk about Jesus' redemption of our lives, sing to old songs we hear playing, and I drink a nonfat-with-whip-white chocolate mocha (or an iced mocha) while she sips a cinnamon dolce latte. Her love for the Lord pours over on me. Precious 10 p.m. coffee time.

3.) Helping my MIL paint her kitchen. She is a busy woman. And a strong woman. And I love helping her with anything. And she's also stinkin' funny, so it makes it a pretty easy choice.

4.) Selling just enough stuff in our garage sale to make just the right amount of money to pay a medical bill. Hallelujah!

5.) Look up the song, "Before the Throne of God Above." It blesses my heart.

What are your top 5??

Goodies for the middle of the week...

Source: whereyourdreamslive.tumblr.com via Jocelyn on Pinterest

Seriously hope my kids look like that.

Source: Uploaded by user via Jocelyn on Pinterest

This is how I like to dress. Soft and comfy, but so sophisticated and ladylike.

Source: cokercola.blogspot.com via Jocelyn on Pinterest

Jesus, I love this song. Because my heart loves you and it is still prone to wander.

Source: shelterinteriordesign.blogspot.com via Jocelyn on Pinterest

Glamorous. The heavenly creator put a deep hunger in me for colors and patterns and sweet designs.

What a beautiful wednesday!

Baby love!

Nephews are probably the best gift ever. Holla, ladies!!

let my newness dance all over my..oldness?

 What if I told you within like 3 weeks my husband made the decision that we were going to be part of a new community of believers?

What if I told you that 2 weeks before that I lost my job?

What if I told you that 2 weeks after that the community of believers moved to a new building, and started meeting together on Sunday at 5. 5 p.m. Not a.m.

What are you thinking right now?
I hope you're thinking, "Blessed."

I lost my job just in time to go on spring break with a bunch of middle school kids. My husband and I had the chance to hear their hearts and be in their world for a week. To some it sounds painful.

It was precious. Precious time. God lets us be part of His kingdom. He entrusts us with His word and lets us speak it to the hearts of His precious, precious people. You might not think so, but 6th-8th grade is sweet in all the ways God made them to be sweet. When they're ridiculous, you see sinners just like me. And when you look past that to what God sees in His chosen children, you see all the redemption God has or can pour out on their lives. Precious.

I lost my job just in time for my husband to get a raise. And for me to be at home more often. Precious.

I shut my mouth just in time for my husband to say, "This is where God wants us to go. We're going." Precious grace from Jesus.

We started going just in time to get to know a few and walk into a new place with them.

We gave our hearts to God's people in that community just in time to start having fellowship on Sunday nights. That means we get to spend Sunday morning together, preparing our hearts and cooking and cleaning. Together. Loving on this brand new marriage God has given us. And it is so precious.

22 and without a job is different.
New people are different.
5 o'clock on Sunday nights is different.
Preciously different.

Lord, let your newness in me dance all over my old self and my old situations. Let me see your precious ways.

<

Sisterhood.

Good Friday.

Today, I am reminded of the Lord's death.

That it was GOOD for us.

Because He beat death. Because He has victory.

So I also remember that it is good for my old self to die.

The woman who is worthless, afraid, jealous, and bitter.

She no longer has to live there.

He put it to death for me.

He has victory.

I am alive with Him.

It is so easy on some days. To just let death reign in my life.

But if I am going to be with Him, there cannot be continuous death. The death happens with our sin, then we must live in life. Because our God cannot stay in death, neither can our new selves stay in death once we are covered in His righteousness.

He lives.