My taste in music has such a wide range, but my all time favorite has to be really good worship music. There is nothing that lifts my spirit more than giving praise to Jesus, and for me, music is the easiest way to do that.
I was listening to one of my favorites the other day (you can listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci31hEQinBA) and I couldn't help but just listen to the lyrics and think about how true they should be. The song starts out with 'Whom have I in Heaven but you, God? There is none on this earth that I desire besides you, Lord.' All I could think while listening to those words was, "Do I really believe this to be true in my life?" At that present moment I felt convicted because I know that there are so many things in my life that more often than not, get in the way of my relationship with Jesus. I know that there are days, weeks, and months even when anyone could take a look at my life and see that I am not living a life that screams 'I LOVE JESUS!' That thought breaks my heart.
I want to be an authentic Christian. I want my relationship with Jesus to be so real and genuine that my love for him permeates throughout my daily life. I fail at my walk with the Lord daily; hourly even - but the beautiful thing about the gospel and about God's love for me, is that when I am weak He is strong. When I fail at walking out my faith, I can look to a God whose love for me is not conditional upon my ability to serve him and reach perfection, and rest in knowing that His mercies for me are new each day.
I forget who said it, but there's a quote floating around out there that goes something like this, "The Christian walk is falling and getting up, all the way to Heaven." I cannot tell you how encouraging that is - to know that I'm not the only one who struggles, and that I am continually being sanctified and redeemed by a God who would take up the cross all over again just for me, knowing that I would fail him.
'Hear my Cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.'
-Psalm 61:1-5
-Kelsey
The Duo
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Just a Suggestion
Okay, so I started reading a book. It’s usually not my preferred method of entertainment, or relaxation for that matter, but at the suggestion of my daughter I ordered the book, Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Along with my beautiful daughter in law, Maddie, the three of us gals embarked on a ‘girls only’ Bible Study where we read separately during the week and then have a three-way call on the weekend to discuss each chapter.
Let me tell you something. What he writes in just the first two chapters has actually changed my spiritual walk, and I’m now going to start the same Bible Study with my church family during the week. I don’t know how anyone could read only as far as I have and not get something incredible out of it. If you apply it, it could actually be life-changing, and that is my hope for everyone joining me in the second study.
Please don’t misunderstand me. I am neither promoting or ‘not’ promoting Francis Chan, because I do enjoy his teachings and believe him to be truly grounded theologically when I hear him speak, or read quotes or other articles by him. But, he is simply just an instrument used by God to write and teach the things he does. Crazy Love is no exception, and yet I am grateful for his heart and wisdom on subjects that he tackles, like the ‘relentless love of God’ in this book. I know he would not want my applause, but I am thankful for men like him who truly love God and want to share what they’ve gleaned through their study and spending time in the Word. Thank you for that, Mr. Chan.
If I’ve peaked your interest, or made you a little hungry to get started in a study of your own, let me encourage you to get going. You won’t be sorry, or regret it. Well, at least I don’t know how you could be. The chapters are easy, and you won’t want to stop in-between each one, but you’ll need to in order to reflect and make the most of them. There’s an accompanying workbook, Living Crazy Love, which you can go through too, if you want a more in-depth study - I’ve got both. I cannot wait to dive into the next chapter, and I’m hoping that someone out there will have gotten just enough inspiration to join me wherever you are!
-Leanne
Let me tell you something. What he writes in just the first two chapters has actually changed my spiritual walk, and I’m now going to start the same Bible Study with my church family during the week. I don’t know how anyone could read only as far as I have and not get something incredible out of it. If you apply it, it could actually be life-changing, and that is my hope for everyone joining me in the second study.
Please don’t misunderstand me. I am neither promoting or ‘not’ promoting Francis Chan, because I do enjoy his teachings and believe him to be truly grounded theologically when I hear him speak, or read quotes or other articles by him. But, he is simply just an instrument used by God to write and teach the things he does. Crazy Love is no exception, and yet I am grateful for his heart and wisdom on subjects that he tackles, like the ‘relentless love of God’ in this book. I know he would not want my applause, but I am thankful for men like him who truly love God and want to share what they’ve gleaned through their study and spending time in the Word. Thank you for that, Mr. Chan.
If I’ve peaked your interest, or made you a little hungry to get started in a study of your own, let me encourage you to get going. You won’t be sorry, or regret it. Well, at least I don’t know how you could be. The chapters are easy, and you won’t want to stop in-between each one, but you’ll need to in order to reflect and make the most of them. There’s an accompanying workbook, Living Crazy Love, which you can go through too, if you want a more in-depth study - I’ve got both. I cannot wait to dive into the next chapter, and I’m hoping that someone out there will have gotten just enough inspiration to join me wherever you are!
-Leanne
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Sleepless in Mill Creek
This week my husband was unexpectedly called away on a business trip to Hawaii. He was at work and the boss told him they needed him to fly out that night, and that his flight left at 5PM so he should go home and pack a bag. Talk about sudden!
When Ryan got the news he called me to let me know that he was on his way home and that he would be leaving in the next couple of hours. He also told me that he didn't know when he would be coming back - that this trip was open ended and no return ticket had been purchased.
For a hormonal pregnant lady like myself, this was a huge surprise and sent me spiraling down into a pit of emotion; I was going to miss him so much. Needless to say, tears were shed, and as he packed up his bag I couldn't help but miss him already - I absolutely HATE it when we are apart.
The first night that he was gone was horrible for me. I tossed and turned in bed ALL. NIGHT. LONG.
It's funny how when you're first married, you have to adjust to sleeping with another person in your bed, and for the first few weeks or months you just don't sleep good because suddenly all of this extra space that you used to have has been taken up by another body. You worry about moving around in the night and keeping your spouse awake, you have to get used to their snoring, and sometimes you even have to get used to them hitting you in the face in the middle of the night. (This was all true of my first month with Ryan) But now, after those initial weeks of marriage, I find myself not being able to sleep without him next to me. We don't cuddle while we sleep, so his absence shouldn't make that much of a difference at night, but I've grown so accustomed to hearing him breathe while he falls asleep. I've gotten used to his little twitches and movements in the night, and the way he snores ever so slightly when he's in a really deep sleep. Without him next to me at night, I feel like a part of myself is missing, and it's the strangest feeling.
The other part of my misery has come from this glorious time of year called Spring. We live near a nature reserve and right behind our home is a pond and walking trails. Currently that pond is filled with thousands of frogs that like to sing and chirp and ribbit every single night, all night. With Ryan gone, and these frogs going absolutely crazy, my mind couldn't and wouldn't shut off so that I could sleep. So it looks like this week I will be running on no sleep, hot tea, and a whole lot of Jesus.
I cannot wait until my hubby comes home.
-Kelsey
When Ryan got the news he called me to let me know that he was on his way home and that he would be leaving in the next couple of hours. He also told me that he didn't know when he would be coming back - that this trip was open ended and no return ticket had been purchased.
For a hormonal pregnant lady like myself, this was a huge surprise and sent me spiraling down into a pit of emotion; I was going to miss him so much. Needless to say, tears were shed, and as he packed up his bag I couldn't help but miss him already - I absolutely HATE it when we are apart.
The first night that he was gone was horrible for me. I tossed and turned in bed ALL. NIGHT. LONG.
It's funny how when you're first married, you have to adjust to sleeping with another person in your bed, and for the first few weeks or months you just don't sleep good because suddenly all of this extra space that you used to have has been taken up by another body. You worry about moving around in the night and keeping your spouse awake, you have to get used to their snoring, and sometimes you even have to get used to them hitting you in the face in the middle of the night. (This was all true of my first month with Ryan) But now, after those initial weeks of marriage, I find myself not being able to sleep without him next to me. We don't cuddle while we sleep, so his absence shouldn't make that much of a difference at night, but I've grown so accustomed to hearing him breathe while he falls asleep. I've gotten used to his little twitches and movements in the night, and the way he snores ever so slightly when he's in a really deep sleep. Without him next to me at night, I feel like a part of myself is missing, and it's the strangest feeling.
The other part of my misery has come from this glorious time of year called Spring. We live near a nature reserve and right behind our home is a pond and walking trails. Currently that pond is filled with thousands of frogs that like to sing and chirp and ribbit every single night, all night. With Ryan gone, and these frogs going absolutely crazy, my mind couldn't and wouldn't shut off so that I could sleep. So it looks like this week I will be running on no sleep, hot tea, and a whole lot of Jesus.
I cannot wait until my hubby comes home.
-Kelsey
Thursday, March 16, 2017
In the Beginning...
When I first mentioned to Kelsey that we should do a blog together, it was only halfhearted. Little did I know that she'd be all over it. She instantly jumped on it!
The whole idea started by sending her a picture of the leftover paint peeled from a disposable paint tray. When I did, she loved it and wanted me to mail it to her. I told her I was actually thinking of doing that, knowing she'd love it. I said we were crazy and asked 'who sends their daughter paint scraps? And who asks for them? And maybe we should start a mother-daughter adventure blog!' Her immediate response was, "Can we please!!???" And those words reeled me in.
My mind began filling with questions; 'how will I find the time to write? Will this really work? Will anyone read it? Can we agree on a name, page design, or articles?' We began brainstorming and decided to give it a go as soon as all of our ducks were in a row. I'm still not sure that they are, but nevertheless, here we are! And as they say, "Let the fun begin!"
-Leanne
The whole idea started by sending her a picture of the leftover paint peeled from a disposable paint tray. When I did, she loved it and wanted me to mail it to her. I told her I was actually thinking of doing that, knowing she'd love it. I said we were crazy and asked 'who sends their daughter paint scraps? And who asks for them? And maybe we should start a mother-daughter adventure blog!' Her immediate response was, "Can we please!!???" And those words reeled me in.
My mind began filling with questions; 'how will I find the time to write? Will this really work? Will anyone read it? Can we agree on a name, page design, or articles?' We began brainstorming and decided to give it a go as soon as all of our ducks were in a row. I'm still not sure that they are, but nevertheless, here we are! And as they say, "Let the fun begin!"
-Leanne
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