So Much Love

You are so amazing. The capacity of your heart is astounding. More people need to love like you. My life has exploded with blessing since you entered it. Oh, how I can't wait for Heaven so I will be able to tell you what you are to me, because our words aren't worthy.

You need to know that your heart is precious to me. If I could hold it and protect it I would. Anytime you need comforting you MUST come to me. And never think that I can't handle it. I have amazing sister shoulders on which you can lean. I'm practically Popeye in that category!

If you need someone to laugh with, you know there is no one better. We share a humor that only sisters could understand. Being silly with you is one of the greatest joys in this world. We laugh so hard that we can no longer speak and yet we continue to communicate with snorts, hiccups, nods, and flailing hands. And we know exactly what the other means, even if we've forgotten what was funny in the first place!

When you hurt my heart breaks. When you smile my heart soars. When we giggle I stop breathing.

I love you.

Wuv, Twu Wuv

I was going to post these pictures on my parent's anniversary, September 19th. Instead, I'm taking my own advice, and I'm not going to wait. I love you Mama. I love you Daddy.

Why Wait?

We've all heard "Save the best for last." My question is why?

I must confess that I've long held a subscription to this line of thinking. If I'm eating fresh fruit salad, I will make sure to save one of my favorite pieces for the last bite. It's nice to end on a good note...er, bite. If I have errands or chores I try to get the most unpleasant ones out of the way first. But does that really make sense?

Just today a friend posted on fb that she ate dessert before lunch. HURRAY! You go K! I'm proud of you.

A couple of days ago I was eating an enormous slice of watermelon. I had cut the melon away from the rind and filled a large bowl (hee hee hee... yay for me!). The first piece I forked wasn't from the sweeter, succulent center portion. It was from the outer section. As I took that bite, I realized that if I stayed true to form I ran the risk of filling up before I could eat the sweetest bits. I changed my tactic and dived into the middle.

What a GREAT decision. (Yes silly, little decisions can be GREAT.) I didn't finish the bowl of watermelon, but I finished the best part.

So why do we wait for the good stuff? This is not the waiting we do in relation to hearing God speak. Sometimes we know what lies before us but we choose to wait on our own accord. Why?

Even my 15 year-old niece gets it. See for yourself here and here. As my blue-eyed Bug reminds us, "...only God knows if there's going to be a later." Pretty good wisdom from a teenager, huh?

So if you hear God speaking, calling you to action, don't hesitate.

And eat the center of the melon first.

Topher

It was Christopher's turn to sit in front of the camera for me. I'm still working on my quality, but I think I captured some pretty cool shots of this amazing kid.

If Chris looks a little too serious in the shot above there is a reason. There was a pile of poo about 9" from his left foot (I pulled up a large weed to cover it.) Additionally, there was an oozing dumpster about 30 yards behind Christopher. It was starting to get hot by this time, and the air was circulating between the buildings enhancing the eau de dumpster. Chris looked at me and said, "I'm not enjoying this breeze right now." I bent over with laughter. He was laughing too, but he couldn't bend over because there was poo!

Two kiddos down and two to go! This is so much fun! YaY for ME! (Yes, that's 3 exclamation marks.)

What's in Your Well?

I like colloquialisms, especially southernisms. (One of my favorites is "garbage in, garbage out." It's SO TRUE.) My daddy is famous for spouting some of the neatest things during a conversation. It is especially fun when I hear a new phrase -at least new to me.

Last Sunday at church the message was on effective communication. The scripture used was Ephesians 4: 29-32. I've been a big fan of E4:29 ever since I read Silver Boxes by Florence Littauer. The Message puts it this way, "Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift." Greg Addison's blog for more. It also has amazing food from Proverbs included. Mmmm, good stuff.
Unfortunately I tend to forget things and need reminders as life goes along. If you would like a great reminder you can visit

Later, sitting in class, several people were discussing what we had just heard from the pastor. We talked about Matthew 15:18 (But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart...). One of the teachers said that reminded him of something his grandmother used to say, "What's down in the well comes up in the bucket."

That's a new one on me.

And I like it!

There's a whole lot of truth in that country sayin'. It sure makes you look inward.

So what are you filling your well with? And how is it going to sound, look, smell, and feel when it comes back out?

If this is what is in our well, the world will see it when it makes its way out.

We may not have complete control over the thoughts or images that enter our minds, but we can control how long they linger. I do NOT have to entertain unwelcome visitors. Philippians 4:8 is a good guideline for keeping our hearts and minds on track. It says, "Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - thing about such things."

It's a moment by moment decision to keep our hearts and minds pure. Will we ever win? Not here, not now. But we still fight. And my heart and mind are worth fighting for!


This is what I want coming up in my bucket.

So what's down in your well?

Morning with Matthew

Last Tuesday morning my nephew Matt let me take some photos. Here are a few shots from downtown Little Rock. Forgive the quality. I'm going to work on that during our next session. 

The shots in the alley and this one are my favorites.

Childlike Wonder

It feels good to let go of grown-up ideas and assumptions. Sometimes you need a break from what is expected. We don't always have to think like adults. In fact, I make conscious attempts to unleash my mind from the trappings of deliberate thinking. My hope is to capture some of the freshness of an unpolluted mind. Does anyone else do that?

So I've been a thinkin'. I've been pondering God. What is He going to look like? What is Heaven going to be like? What will my days be like? Will there be days?

Will my eyes still be blue? Will I be able to see colors that are incomprehensible here? Can you feel colors?

How will music feel differently? It will all be for Him. Will my entire body respond?

What about taste? And smell? And touch? (I love to touch!) How many more senses will I have?

What is it going to be like, the first time I bow my knee in His presence? Oh the anticipation!

What does God feel like? I can't wait to touch Him!

Do you ever wonder? Tell me.