Friday five. Five links.

1. Megan shares her photos and words about 4 bloggers/friends getting together. Ps. I'm one of them! ;)
2. What's your thing? Thanks, Joy.
3. Know what you want With a little of my own tweaking, I could do this...
4. #SheReadsTruth
5. Don't quit your day job What am I called to do? Well it's right there in front of me.

Would love your comments on any of these links. Let me know what you think....

Community

"The Christian life is not a self-project. We are a people of God and cannot live the Christian life by ourselves. We live in community whether we want to or not, whether we admit to it or not. The Bible knows nothing of the solitary Christian. Having been created and saved we are now commanded to live out our creation and salvation in the community that Christ gathers by his Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy and Luke/Acts are major texts that ground us in this world, this community, in which Christ plays."
~Eugene Peterson

#mustgetout

This past weekend I got together with three lovely ladies for a girls' weekend to Savannah, Georgia.

It was a wonderful time of fellowship, laughter, food, fun and truth.

{Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room}

The best southern dinner in town. I almost cried at the spread of homemade southern delights. You eat it "family style" with other strangers at the table. Pretty soon they are not strangers, though. Love this concept.

 It is weekends like this that I have to remind myself that is it *so* important to me, as a busy mother, to get away from my family for a short time. It helps me gain perspective as a mother, it re-energizes me and I am ready again to take on the challenges of my wonderful but challenging life.

With women who share my basic beliefs in a God who loves us and cares for us and wants the best for us. Who is gentle and loving and kind. Women who will speak truth-words to me and get me out of that downward spiral of *poor me* and *this is too hard* mindset.

Who encourage me to love my husband well, to love my children well, to be with people who love me and care for me. Who also are gentle and loving and kind in their words. Who make me laugh til I cry. Man, I need that.

  Sweet Megan with her endearing midwestern accent amidst all us southern girls.

These miracle babies of Laurel who is amazing at caring for their needs and teaches me patience when I see her care for them.

 Searching for the best coffee in Savannah.

 The amazing Laurel.

 Beauty everywhere you turn.

 These sweet feet reminding me of the connection between sisters. Not only sisters by blood, but sisters in Christ.

I miss her.

I miss them.

 Honey tastin'

 Relaxed and happy.

 Car photo!

Moss on trees in Savannah. Just gorgeous.

1000 gifts

287. Iron sharpens iron. And sometimes there are sparks...
288. But getting through a disagreement with a friend without bitterness is a true gift from the Lord.
289. being able to reach out to friends when things are tough. and having them take me, raw emotions and all.
290. receiving words of encouragement and prayer during a hard time.
291. manis and pedis and laughing with V.H. that girl lightens my soul.
292. community is regular fellowship. repeat.
293. reminding myself when I am busy that I *need* that community more than anything.
294. and not to hole up in my house when things get rough.
295. spending Mother's Day with some of my favorite people in the whole, wide world.
296. a stack of cards *this thick*.
297. getting through the stomach flu. All week.
298. having a wonderful babysitter who helps me in all my times of need with 5 children. Who even cleans up throw up. Just because she loves them and cares for them.
299. looking forward to a girls' weekend this weekend (!!!)
300. knowing that His mercies are new *every morning*. And for that? I'm immensely thankful.

Friday five {links}

1. My post at MomHeart.org went up this week. I totally forgot to put it on the blog because we were in Brimfield for the day on Wednesday. But here is the link: Leaving a legacy of faith {the greatest gift}

2. To be life giving This was probably the best read of the week for me. It has caused me to change the way I talk to my children, in little ways. It has made me remember that little words I use in everyday language can build them up and that I shouldn't waste that opportunity.

3. What your pastor wants you to know Really liked this.

4. What the lilac preached to me

5. Our children find their way with loving guidance Refreshing.

Dressing

I'll admit, I love fashion. Why do I cringe when I say that? Why does admitting that feel like a crime? Maybe in my cerebral (and, yes, prideful!) way of thinking, I think it is a petty thing to like. Or maybe I feel like admitting that will cause people to judge me for my interests and likes. But..hey. This is me and this is what I like. I like looking pretty, I like dressing up--not just for a special occasion, but for every day life. I can't tell you how many dresses in my closet that I've bought on sale for "date night". And friends? With five children, a date night like that happens maybe once a year. ;) So I just need to wear them already. But here is another strange thing that happens when I put myself together. People will say: "oh my goodness! you are so dressed up!" Frankly, that makes me feel so insecure! "Really? And?" I want to say. I wore small kitten heels to church one Sunday and someone said to me: "So you really like wearing heels?" And this was over 11 years ago and I still think about it every time I get dressed for Sunday. Because I don't wear heels on Sunday for fear that someone will make a comment about them. I know, so weird!
I like fashion, I like style. I like clothes!!  I like shoes!! So what's the big deal? I say wear what you've got sweetie, because as was said in this fabulous post :

Face it: This is your life, and there’s no reason not to look nice for it, every day. Wearing something you love makes this day a good day, in a way that tossing on those sad yoga pants just doesn’t. Don’t wait around for something style-worthy to pop up on your calendar — get dressed for each day as though it really mattered. Because honestly, it does.

Yes! It does!!

Related:

Coming out of the closet  and Finding our own beauty

Why do we do what we do?

I started the 30 day Husband Encouragement Challenge for a few reasons. One, I found myself being overly critical of my husband and it was beginning to become a huge problem. Two, I was frustrated with *his* lack of change. Three, I wanted something to change, and I knew change only begins with me.
But there is this weird paradox with things like this: secretly, inside, you are hoping that by *your* changing, then your husband will change. But it doesn't always work like that, nor should we ever count or trust in that. A means doesn't always guarantee an end. In the Christian life, we find this everywhere. You must die to live? Being like a child is wise? God's economy is not like the world's economy.

Similarily, this applies to child-rearing. Just because we raise our children in the "fear and admonition of the Lord" doesn't always mean that they will, ultimately, love and serve the Lord. Just because I encourage my husband for 30 days does not mean he will turn around and write me love letters about how wonderful I keep the house clean. (I'm kidding. Sort of. About the house cleaning part.) Just because I make an effort to help a friend in her time(s) of need(s) by bringing her meals, cleaning her house, doesn't mean that she will make the effort to talk to me at church. (Seriously.) So why bother?

God's ways are not a means to an end. They never are. Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. (Westminister catechism) So why do we do what we do? To glorify Him.

“The critical question for our generation—and for every generation—
is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the
friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and
all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties
you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no
human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with
heaven, if Christ were not there? ” 
― John Piper, God Is the Gospel: Meditations on God's Love as the Gift of Himself

little gifts.

 Ann's book at LaGuardia airport. Comforting to see.

 the beauty of my parent's lake house

 sun on my skin

napoleon dynamite on dvd. makes me laugh every. time.